Snap plans to sell lightweight, consumer AR glasses in 2026

Snap is re-entering the consumer AR smart glasses market with its new product, Specs, set to launch in 2026. Announced by CEO Evan Spiegel at the Augmented World Expo, these glasses will be smaller and lighter than previous models and will feature augmented reality and artificial intelligence capabilities similar to Snap's developer-focused Spectacles 5. Specs will have see-through lenses for displaying graphics and an AI assistant for processing audio and video. Despite Snap's previous struggles with consumer smart glasses, the company hopes its SnapOS developer ecosystem and existing AR experiences, like "Super Travel" and "Cookmate," will give it an edge over competitors like Meta and Google.

Snap also announced updates to its SnapOS platform, allowing developers to build apps using multimodal AI models from OpenAI and Google DeepMind. A new "Depth Module API" will help anchor AR graphics in three-dimensional space, and Snap plans to partner with Niantic Spatial to create AI-powered maps. While the Specs' price and sales strategy remain undisclosed, Snap aims to transform AR glasses from a novelty into a practical device, despite potential high costs compared to competitors like Meta's Ray-Ban Meta.

Key takeaways

Snap plans to sell new AR smart glasses called Specs to consumers starting in 2026, featuring augmented reality and AI capabilities.
The Specs will be smaller and lighter than previous models, with see-through lenses and an AI assistant for processing audio and video.
Snap aims to leverage its SnapOS developer ecosystem and existing AR experiences to gain an edge in the competitive AR glasses market.
Details such as pricing and design of the Specs remain unclear, and Snap faces competition from companies like Meta and Google in the AR space.

Snap plans to sell lightweight, consumer AR glasses in 2026 | TechCrunch

Key takeaways

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