Snap launches $2,195 AR glasses that looks like regular eyewear

Snap, the company behind the popular multimedia messaging app, is making a significant leap into consumer technology with the introduction of its first augmented reality glasses. Announced on June 16, these innovative glasses, named 'Specs,' are designed to overlay digital information onto the real world, enhancing user experience without the need for smartphones. Retailing at $2,195, the Specs aim to seamlessly integrate into users' lives by resembling conventional eyewear, eliminating the need for external cables or bulky battery packs. This design approach enhances the likelihood of AR wearables gaining widespread acceptance. The glasses feature a modern yet chunky aesthetic, available in two sizes: 47mm and 52mm, and they come with removable prescription lens inserts for added convenience. The Specs are equipped with dual cameras and an LED strip situated between the lenses to indicate when recording is in progress. At the core of Snap’s AR functionality are advanced lenses that utilize liquid crystal on silicon technology, providing a broad field of view, vibrant color reproduction, and adaptive tinting that transitions from clear to shaded in approximately 10 seconds. For optimal performance, the glasses are powered by two Snapdragon processors, enabling sophisticated computer vision capabilities, augmented reality experiences, hand tracking, and various other tasks. Snap claims that the Specs offer up to 4 hours of battery life on a single charge, complemented by a charging case that extends total usage to around 20 hours. The Specs will initially be available in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France by autumn this year, although there is currently no confirmation regarding their release in India.