Snap, the company behind social media platform Snapchat, has been striving for years to establish its presence in the world of augmented reality. In 2016, it launched the first version of Spectacles, which has since evolved to adopt a less traditional design and strongly emphasize AR.
A design that’s a bit too much. The latest iteration of the device, the fifth-generation Spectacles 2024, solidifies this commitment. Snap’s new AR glasses maintain a similar design to the previous generation, featuring large temples and frames.
Packed with technology. The technology inside the glasses makes it obvious these aren’t just another pair of sunglasses. They house two Snapdragon processors, a vapor chamber cooling system, and four cameras that enable the displays and hand tracking to function effectively.
A projector on your eyes. The AR screens in the new Spectacles are the real deal. They’re equipped with a pair of micro-projectors that make the image equivalent to what you would see with a 100-inch projector from 10 feet away.
Mirroring your phone. The glasses, along with their new Snap OS software, allow you to use them to mirror your phone and use it as a video game controller.
ChatGPT to the rescue. Snap representatives have indicated that these glasses will soon support OpenAI chatbots, which will allow users to interact with these assistants using their voice.
Not long-lasting. However, the new Spectacles’ battery life is limited. Although they’re an improvement on the 30-minute battery life on the original Spectacles, the new generation only lasts around 45 minutes.
Not for sale. Another major drawback is that you won’t be able to purchase the new AR glasses for now. They’re currently only available to developers. With this approach, Snap aims to strengthen the software ecosystem before making the new Spectacles available for sale to the general public.
Subscription-based AR glasses. Time will tell if Snap achieves its goal, especially considering the new glasses will be accessible to developers only through the Developer Program. This means they’ll have to pay a monthly fee of $99, which amounts to almost $1,200 per year.
Image | Snap
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