'New type of computer': Snap Specs reveals how its new smart glasses fit into your daily life alongside new AR experiences

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel introduced Snap Specs, a pair of AR glasses, in June this year, heralding a new era of computing. The glasses, a hybrid of Meta's Ray-Ban AI glasses and a VR headset, are equipped with Snapdragon processors and cost $2,195. Russell Patton, a product manager for Specs at Snap, mentioned that the shift from phones to glasses is imminent. Specs (Image credit: Snap)

The glasses feature a fully standalone augmented reality design, with a TR90 polymer build, weighing 132 grams and 136 grams respectively. They boast proprietary waveguide displays offering a 51-degree field of view and support for 16 million colors. Electrochromic lenses, which can transition to tinted within 10 seconds, are also available with prescription support.

The dual Snapdragon processors cater to computer vision and AR lenses, with a hand tracking and spatial mapping feature, providing a response time of 7ms. The battery lasts for four hours on a single charge, expandable to 20 hours with the included case.

Specs enable users to engage in virtual spaces for working and playing, via shared whiteboards, YouTube, and 3D shopping. They can also project navigation cues onto the displays to map the real world. Like AI glasses, users can make Bluetooth calls, control music, and utilize live translation. These features and applications, dubbed Lenses, include learning experiences such as NBA and WNBA basketball shooting tutorials, golf swing analysis, and 3D exploration of the solar system. Specs do not record continuously and have no facial recognition feature to identify people.

Snap OS, running the glasses, incorporates AI to perceive and understand the user's surroundings, providing contextual assistance. Additionally, Snap Intelligence, an anticipatory AI service, is designed to anticipate users' needs across multiple devices, from iPhones and MacBooks back to the Specs, without explicit prompts. Security is a top priority, with Snap personnel unable to access personal information or content.

To try out Snap Intelligence, users need not own Specs. The Specs, along with a charging case with cellular connectivity, are available for pre-order at $2,195 with a refundable $200 deposit, and a bundle at $2,395. Verizon partnership requires a data plan starting at $10 per month for Verizon customers and $20 per month for non-Verizon users.

The glasses are slated to be shipped in the US, UK, and France starting this fall, with Westfield Century City mall in Los Angeles offering a preview starting October 1.