Snap, the company behind Snapchat, announced on Tuesday its fifth-generation augmented reality (AR) glasses, Spectacles. The new wearable device aims to blend digital content with the real world, offering voice-controlled AR filters and integration with OpenAI's multimodal AI models.
The latest Spectacles overlay AR effects on the user's surroundings and can be controlled through voice commands and hand gestures. Wearers can generate AI images as AR filters or interact with Snap's AI chatbot, MyAI, to get information about objects in view.
While the technology shows promise, Snap's new Spectacles face hurdles to mainstream adoption. Weighing 226 grams (about 0.5 pounds), they're significantly heavier than competitors like Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses. Battery life is limited to 45 minutes of continuous use.
Snap is initially focusing on developers rather than consumers. The company is selling Spectacles through its developer program, priced at $99 per month with a 12-month minimum commitment. This approach aims to build a robust app ecosystem before targeting wider consumer use.
The glasses launch with several built-in applications, including a beatboxing game, golf simulator, and virtual pet experience. Snap has also partnered with companies like LEGO Group, Lucasfilm's ILM Immersive, and Niantic to create custom AR experiences for the platform.
Spectacles run on Snap OS, a new operating system designed for AR interactions. The device incorporates four cameras for spatial awareness and hand tracking, along with see-through displays that automatically adjust to ambient lighting conditions.
Snap's partnership with OpenAI, rumored since last fall, is now confirmed. This collaboration will allow developers to incorporate advanced AI models into Spectacles apps, potentially enhancing the contextual understanding of the wearer's environment.
Currently, the program is only available in the United States and has limited spots. This initiative underscores Snap's focus on building a strong developer ecosystem to drive innovation and create compelling AR experiences for Spectacles.