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Snap Unveils Next-Generation AR Spectacles, Doubling Down on Wearable Tech
Snap unveils fifth-generation Spectacles with new Snap OS operating system. New Spectacles feature improved field of vision and adaptive tinting. Initially available to developers for $99 per month.
Snap, the company behind the popular messaging app Snapchat, has unveiled its latest foray into augmented reality (AR) with the fifth generation of its Spectacles glasses. The announcement, made during the company's annual partner summit, signals Snap's continued commitment to wearable technology and its vision for the future of AR.
The new Spectacles boast significant upgrades from previous iterations, powered by a proprietary operating system called Snap OS. This new interface responds to both hand gestures and voice commands, demonstrating a more intuitive user experience. Evan Spiegel, Snap's CEO, highlighted the operating system's enhanced ability to understand the wearer's surroundings, allowing for more seamless integration of AR effects.
"There has to be really compelling experiences", Spiegel said in an interview. "By working really closely with developers and just continuously improving our platform, I think we're going to get to a place where there are a lot of compelling lenses for people to try with Spectacles".
The most recent version of Spectacles has a wider field of vision and adaptive lenses that automatically tint in sunlight. These enhancements are intended to improve the overall user experience and make the glasses more suitable for everyday use. However, Snap is taking a cautious approach to consumer adoption, initially making the Spectacles available only to developers for a $99. monthly subscription.
This strategy demonstrates Snap's focus on developing a robust ecosystem of AR applications prior to a wider consumer release. The company believes that by cultivating a developer community, it can create a diverse range of compelling augmented reality experiences that will drive future user adoption.
The new Snap OS also supports more complex multi-user AR interactions. For example, two Spectacles users in the same room could play a game of virtual chess with the board rendered in their shared space. This feature hints at AR's potential to transform social interactions and gaming experiences.
Snap also announced a significant redesign of its Snapchat app in conjunction with the Spectacles launch. The update reduces the app's structure from five sections to three. This move is consistent with Snap's recent efforts to streamline user interactions with advertisements, with the goal of improving platform results for advertisers.
Despite these innovations, Snap faces challenges in the highly competitive digital advertising industry. The company's stock has fallen 40% this year, reflecting competition from larger platforms with larger user bases. Spiegel, on the other hand, remains optimistic about Snap's position in the emerging augmented reality market.
"Unlike in digital advertising, where we were a late entrant in a market with established, scaled players, we are a leader in the market for this new type of glasses", Spiegel stated in a recent letter to staff.
Snap unveils fifth-generation Spectacles with new Snap OS operating system
New Spectacles feature improved field of vision and adaptive tinting
Initially available to developers for $99 per month
Source: REUTERS