Key facts
- Snap launched its first augmented-reality glasses, Specs, at a price of $2,195.
- The glasses aim to overlay digital content onto the wearer's view and provide AI-powered assistance.
- Snap CEO Evan Spiegel described Specs as a 'totally new type of computer' and the next 'major leap in computing'.
- The device is lighter and more capable than Apple's Vision Pro and Meta's smartglasses.
- Analysts are skeptical about the high price point's potential to limit mass consumer adoption.
- Snap's stock declined following the announcement.
Snap has launched its first augmented-reality glasses, dubbed Specs, priced at $2,195, positioning the device as a significant step beyond smartphones and a new era of computing. Unveiled at the Augmented World Expo, the glasses aim to overlay digital content onto the user's real-world view, offering features like AI-powered answers and virtual whiteboards.
CEO Evan Spiegel described Specs as a "totally new type of computer" and a "major leap in computing," emphasizing new technology across nearly every component to achieve a wide field of view and extended battery life without bulk. The company highlighted that Specs are lighter and more capable than competitors like Apple's Vision Pro and Meta's smartglasses, though the high price point has drawn skepticism from analysts regarding mass consumer appeal.
Snap faces pressure from larger rivals in its advertising business and from an activist investor concerned about the significant investment in the Specs unit. The launch comes amid a broader trend of tech companies exploring devices beyond smartphones, driven by advancements in AI and growing concerns about smartphone mental health impacts. Snap is initially focusing on developers to build AR experiences for the platform, rolling out app-building tools and leveraging existing developer communities.