Snap is set to launch its new 'Specs' smart glasses in 2026, aiming to reignite competition with tech giants like Meta and Apple in the augmented reality (AR) market. CEO Evan Spiegel is pushing forward despite investor scepticism, touting the AI-powered device's potential to enhance human interaction. The Specs are designed as standalone AR glasses, eliminating the need for smartphones or external devices, and are powered by Snapdragon processors. Snap has partnered with OpenAI and Google to integrate GPT and Gemini models, enabling multimodal AR experiences such as real-time translation and AI-driven recipe suggestions.
The new Specs also focus on developer integration, providing tools and APIs for creating 3D spatial experiences. Snap's existing ecosystem of over 400,000 developers and 4 million AR lenses offers a strong foundation. New features include location-based experiences, remote monitoring, and guided navigation for AR tours. SnapOS is also receiving updates, including a Depth Module API for accurate AR data anchoring and Automated Speech Recognition supporting over 40 languages. The device aims for a lightweight design and seamless integration of digital experiences into the physical world.
Snap's strategic move involves undercutting competitors on price while offering a sleek form factor and robust AI capabilities. By fostering a strong developer community and leveraging AI, Snap aims to carve out a unique position in the competitive AR landscape. The combination of a light form factor, multimodal AI assistance and AR Lenses resembles those found on the Google smartglasses.
