Snap Unveils Next-Gen AR Glasses: AI-Powered Specs Set for 2026 Consumer Launch

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

Snap is back with a new pair of AR smart glasses, and for the first time in years, it's ready to sell them to consumers. The company plans to sell these new glasses, called Specs, to consumers starting in 2026, CEO Evan Spiegel announced on Tuesday during the Augmented World Expo in Long Beach, California. A Snap spokesperson tells TechCrunch the glasses will ship in 2026, as well. Snap's Specs will feature many of the same augmented reality and artificial intelligence capabilities that are available on the company's developer-facing smart glasses, the Spectacles 5. However, the company says the Specs will be smaller and lighter -- ideally making them more innocuous to wear in public than their extremely large predecessors. The Specs will feature see-through lenses capable of displaying graphics to users as if they were projected on the world in front of them. The glasses will also feature an AI assistant powered by Snap's technology, capable of processing both audio and video. The Specs announcement comes nearly a decade after Snap first attempted to sell consumer smart glasses with the initial launch of Spectacles in 2016 -- a product that ended up selling poorly. While Snap was ahead of its time then, the company now faces fierce competition in the AR glasses market from giants like Meta and Google that have recently unveiled AR products of their own. Meta reportedly plans to unveil glasses with a built-in screen, codenamed "Hypernova," later in 2025. Meanwhile, Google recently announced partnerships with Warby Parker, Samsung, and other companies to develop its Android XR smart glasses. Snap is hoping its SnapOS developer ecosystem -- which the company has spent the last several years building out -- will give it an edge in the AR race. Many of the millions of AR experiences developers have built for Snapchat and Spectacles, called Lenses, will also work on the new Specs, the company said. Onstage, Spiegel showcased a few of these lenses. One of them, "Super Travel," will translate signs and menus for users in foreign countries. Another app Spiegel showcased, "Cookmate," finds recipes based on available ingredients in a user's kitchen, and then offers step-by-step cooking guidance. Companies have been demoing these use cases in AR for years, but have struggled to deliver a pair of smart glasses that are capable, affordable, and comfortable enough to give everyday consumers a taste of AR. Snap seems to believe it's done just that with Specs, but several details are still unclear. Snap did not reveal on Tuesday how much the Specs will cost, how it plans to sell the glasses, or what exactly they'll look like. Snap also announced several developer updates to beef up its SnapOS platform. Developers can now build apps powered by multimodal AI models from OpenAI and Google DeepMind. To enable more AI apps, the company announced a "Depth Module API" that will anchor AR graphics from large language models in three-dimensional space. In the future, Snap says it will be partnering with Niantic Spatial, the company that spun off from the creator of Pokémon Go, to build AI-powered maps of the world. Whether all of these efforts will translate into a pair of smart glasses that consumers will truly want to buy remains to be seen. While Meta has found early success with Ray-Ban Meta, it seems likely that Snap's Specs will be significantly more expensive. To get consumers on board, Snap may have to turn AR glasses from something novel into a practical device.

Snap's CEO Told Me About Its New AR Glasses, Coming in 2026

Nearly 20 years writing about tech, and over a decade reviewing wearable tech, VR, and AR products and apps Last year I played around with the latest AR glasses from Snap, the company behind the popular social media app Snapchat. The glasses allowed me to play multiplayer games overlaid in the real world, they worked outdoors and used AI. The ones I tested were meant for developers, not everyday people. Snap's AR Spectacles are going on sale for real in 2026. I spoke to Snap's CEO Evan Spiegel about what to expect. He promised a smaller design, better battery life and more AI features. They'll work without needing a phone, but they'll be arriving in a more crowded glasses landscape than ever. A lot of tech companies are working on getting smart glasses on your face. These devices promise to integrate with the real world to augment reality with information, games and more. Meta's doing it, Google's doing it, Apple might be doing it and Snap's been doing it for years, releasing its Snap Spectacles back in 2020. The 2026 version of Snap's glasses could be arriving ahead of its competitors in the AR glasses race. The aim is to bring games and 3D collaborative experiences to a larger audience, but at an unknown price and design. Here's what we know so far. I tried Snap's AR Spectacles several times since last year. They float 3D graphics into the real world with transparent lenses using waveguides and internal projectors. They include built-in hand tracking via cameras, feeling almost like a hybrid between VR devices like the Quest 3 and future AR glasses like Meta's Orion. But their battery life was extremely short: only around 45 minutes. And they look a lot bigger and thicker than any everyday pair of glasses, or even other smart glasses like Meta Ray-Bans. Spiegel says that AR apps (that Snap calls Lenses) made for developer Spectacles will work on the upcoming glasses, but that it'll be "a ton more capable at a fraction of the weight, and in a smaller form." I mentioned my concern about the battery life. "Battery life will be dramatically improved," Spiegel replied. "And, you know, again, it'll depend on the task. If you're doing something really heavy-duty and immersive in AR versus more passive browsing or streaming, you'll see differences in battery life." It also sounds like these upcoming glasses will have better displays, or at least more compact ones. "There'll be some pretty meaningful improvements to the wave guide in the optical engine in this next generation," Spiegel said. "That's part of what enables the form factor and the capability improvement." Much like Snap's existing AR Spectacles, released last year, these new glasses are also designed to work on their own. "They'll be fully standalone," said Spiegel, "But if you want to use it with your phone, with the phone as a controller or something like that, we offer a lot of those sorts of services to developers." Snap's glasses currently use phones as either handheld remotes or motion controllers if apps want to build in support. They use hand tracking and a pinch-and-gesture system to control the OS otherwise. Don't expect these to truly replace your everyday glasses. No one's made full augmented reality glasses that can last a full day yet, and Snap doesn't sound like they've done it either. "I wouldn't say that they're necessarily designed for all day wear, although someone could use them that way if they wanted," said Spiegel. "Where we focus more is on the capability side to enable true computing experiences. I wouldn't think of it as a smartphone peripheral. I would think about this as a full featured computer." One of the new AR tools Snap's announced is a way to share the scanned depth map of your area on glasses with onboard AI services. Spiegel calls it "spatial intelligence," and it's not something I've seen discussed by any other glasses- or headset-makers yet. It could allow large language model AI to get an understanding of your own space, and possibly combine it with other data. Spiegel said these tools could start "labeling objects around you or helping instruct you how to do something, not through a text or voice based interface, but actually in the world with you." Snap's also brought support for Google's Gemini AI on its Spectacles, which can already connect with ChatGPT. Supporting different AI services is part of Spiegel's pitch to make Snap's AR glasses also work as an AI platform. Snap's Spectacles aren't part of Google's Android XR ecosystem yet, but Spiegel is open to it: "We would love to make sure Spectacles interoperate as tightly as possible with other platforms and services. That's part of delivering a great customer experience, and certainly something we're thinking about." Camera-enabled AI also brings its own privacy questions. A new tool called SmartGate aims to wall off camera data and keep it from leaking outside the glasses, an increasingly important feature as more AI apps will start being able to access home depth maps and camera data. How will Snap strike that balance? It remains to be seen. "Trying to continue to architect our system in a way that developers and users can get the full power of AI without compromising on privacy is something that's really important to us," said Spiegel. It's a territory every AI-enabled glasses maker is going to have to navigate. I played a lot of short game experiences on Spectacles the last time I tried them, and Snap's glasses can share AR collaboratively with other people in real-world spaces. Think collaborative Lego brick-building, or outdoor virtual laser tag. Games sound like a big part of Snap's approach to its next glasses, too, especially multiplayer. "[Gaming is] one of the things that's most exciting to me, because it really brings people together in a shared space," Spiegel said. "I remember when I was a kid playing N64 and having kids over your house and playing together, but I think this takes sort of that concept of shared play to a whole new level, because you can run around outside and share these experiences." That collaborative AR play is a unique feature to Spectacles at the moment, and it could spark some fun game ideas, and pave some of the way towards outdoor AR collaborative apps to come. Spiegel didn't give a specific answer when I asked how these Spectacles will be sold, but it sounds like the goal is to build out experiential demo opportunities. While Meta Ray-Bans and Google's upcoming AI glasses will be sold in optical shops, Snap used to sell its Spectacles out of whimsical pop-up vending machines. "We've had so much fun thinking about different ways to distribute Specs," said Spiegel. "In the case of this product, it's just not something you can really believe until you try it. And so a lot of our efforts are just going to be focused on helping people all over the world try and experience [them]." Installations at museums, art exhibits, pop-up events or maybe even theme parks could be part of it. "We've seen a lot of demand for location-based experiences, and that's why we're releasing some new tools specifically for folks who are trying to design experiences around museums or monuments, or these sort of shared game experiences," said Spiegel. Maybe Snap's AR glasses will emerge in some real-world experience you get to try before you even think about buying. And maybe that's the best way for any of these future AR glasses to really prove what they can do.

The new AI-powered Snaps Specs are here - and they work with OpenAI and Gemini

The success of Meta Ray-Bans has helped demonstrate there's a demand for lightweight, everyday glasses packing additional tech. Snap is getting in on the action with all-new Specs AR glasses that address the biggest pain points of their predecessors. At the Augmented World Exhibition (AWE) 2025, Snap announced its next-generation, AI-centered Specs. Packed into a lighter form factor and powered by Snapdragon, these Specs use advanced machine learning to understand the world around you and offer AI assistance in your everyday life. They also offer entertainment-gear AR experiences such as shared games and a portable workstation for browsing, streaming, and more. Also: I tested smart glasses with built-in hearing aids for a week, and didn't want to take them off The fifth generation of Spectacles was released in 2024 but was only available to developers, who could build new experiences using the glasses. The new Specs will also be offered as a dev kit, but according to the company, the releases are paving the way for the public launch of Specs in 2026. When I tried the fifth-generation version myself, I was very impressed with the realistic AR experience and how well it felt anchored in the three-dimensional world around me. My biggest complaint was the sheer weight of the glasses, making this update most welcome. Beyond the hardware, the software powering the experiences -- Snap OS -- also got a myriad of upgrades. In the era of AI, AR glasses would not be considered useful unless they could also provide AI assistance. To meet that demand, Snapchat is including deep integrations with OpenAI and Google Gemini, which developers can use to build multi-modal AI-powered Lenses that the Spectacles community can access. Snap provides some examples of developer use cases, such as using AI to provide text translation, current conversion, suggest recipes, and more. (Disclosure: Ziff Davis, ZDNET's parent company, filed an April 2025 lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.) At Google I/O last month, Google showed the public its long-awaited smart glasses, which pack Gemini assistance, in-lens displays, speakers, cameras, and mics into the form factor of traditional eyeglasses. The combination of a light form factor, multimodal AI assistance, and AR Lenses from the new Specs resembles those found on the Google smartglasses. Also: I tried XR glasses that gave me a 200-inch screen to work on - and can't go back The company also introduced new APIs -- Depth Module, Automated Speech Recognition, and Snap3D -- meant to help developers create meaningful experiences on Spectacles. With the Depth Module API, Snap says, developers can unlock better spatial intelligence by having the API translate 2D information from large language models to accurately anchor AR information into three dimensions. The Automated Speech Recognition API offers real-time transcription with support for 40+ languages with "high accuracy." Lastly, developers can easily generate 3D objects inside Lenses via the Snap3D API. Also: Your Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses just got two significant upgrades for free - what they do Snap also launched tools to help developers build location-based experiences, including a fleet management app in which developers can monitor and manage multiple pairs of Specs in the app; guided mode, which enables developers to program the Specs to launch directly in single- or multiplayer mode; and Guided Navigation, which allows developers to build AR-guided tools. There will also soon be WebXR support in the browser for developers to build WebXR experiences. If you are a developer interested in building for Specs before they launch publicly, you can sign up for the developer program. Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.

Snap will start selling AR glasses next year

The market for AR glasses is nascent now but shaping up to become crowded. Meta is planning to announce a pair of glasses with a heads-up display later this year. Google just rebooted its smart glasses program with a Gemini-powered version of Android it's putting in frames from Warby Parker and other eyewear companies. Apple is also still working on AR glasses. Spiegel says Snap has spent $3 billion to date on Spectacles, which is a small amount compared to the efforts of much players like Meta. Still, Spiegel thinks he has an edge: there are 400,000 developers already building AR effects, or lenses, for Snapchat, which is closing in on 1 billion monthly users. He's betting on these lenses -- which have become increasingly more complex with multiplayer and AI features -- as being what differentiates Specs from other AR glasses.

Snapchat's upcoming AR glasses beat the Meta Ray-Bans in a meaningful way

The success of Meta Ray-Bans has helped demonstrate there's a demand for lightweight, everyday glasses packing additional tech. Snap is getting in on the action with all-new Specs AR glasses that address the biggest pain points of their predecessors. At the Augmented World Exhibition (AWE) 2025 this week, Snap announced its next-generation, AI-centered Specs. Packed into a lighter form factor and powered by Snapdragon, these Specs use advanced machine learning to understand the world around you and offer AI assistance in your everyday life. They also offer entertainment-gear AR experiences such as shared games and a portable workstation for browsing, streaming, and more. Also: I tested smart glasses with built-in hearing aids for a week, and didn't want to take them off The fifth generation of Spectacles was released in 2024 but was only available to developers, who could build new experiences using the glasses. Snap shares the public launch of Specs will be in 2026. When I tried the fifth-generation version myself, I was very impressed with the realistic AR experience and how well it felt anchored in the three-dimensional world around me. My biggest complaint was the sheer weight of the glasses, making this update most welcome. Beyond the hardware, the software powering the experiences -- Snap OS -- also got a myriad of upgrades. In the era of AI, AR glasses would not be considered useful unless they could also provide AI assistance. To meet that demand, Snapchat is including deep integrations with OpenAI and Google Gemini, which developers can use to build multi-modal AI-powered Lenses that the Spectacles community can access. Snap provides some examples of developer use cases, such as using AI to provide text translation, current conversion, suggest recipes, and more. (Disclosure: Ziff Davis, ZDNET's parent company, filed an April 2025 lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.) At Google I/O last month, Google showed the public its long-awaited smart glasses, which pack Gemini assistance, in-lens displays, speakers, cameras, and mics into the form factor of traditional eyeglasses. The combination of a light form factor, multimodal AI assistance, and AR Lenses from the new Specs resembles those found on the Google smartglasses. Also: I tried XR glasses that gave me a 200-inch screen to work on - and can't go back The company also introduced new APIs -- Depth Module, Automated Speech Recognition, and Snap3D -- meant to help developers create meaningful experiences on Spectacles. With the Depth Module API, Snap says, developers can unlock better spatial intelligence by having the API translate 2D information from large language models to accurately anchor AR information into three dimensions. The Automated Speech Recognition API offers real-time transcription with support for 40+ languages with "high accuracy." Lastly, developers can easily generate 3D objects inside Lenses via the Snap3D API. Also: Your Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses just got two significant upgrades for free - what they do Snap also launched tools to help developers build location-based experiences, including a fleet management app in which developers can monitor and manage multiple pairs of Specs in the app; guided mode, which enables developers to program the Specs to launch directly in single- or multiplayer mode; and Guided Navigation, which allows developers to build AR-guided tools. There will also soon be WebXR support in the browser for developers to build WebXR experiences. If you are a developer interested in building for Specs before they launch publicly, you can sign up for the developer program. Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.

Snap Preps AR 'Specs' for 2026: Will They Thrive or Flop?

On Tuesday, Snap announced it will launch "lightweight" and "immersive" AR glasses next year. The existing model, the Spectacles 24', has been available to software developers since October. But the company is now gearing up to take it mainstream with an even more portable commercial product called the Specs. "We believe the time is right for a revolution in computing that naturally integrates our digital experiences with the physical world, and we can't wait to publicly launch our new Specs next year," Snap CEO Evan Spiegel said in the announcement. The company hasn't disclosed specs for the Specs or its price. But Snap says the glasses will feature an "ultra-powerful wearable computer," built with "see-through Lenses" that can overlay virtual objects on the user's real-world sights. "Snap's all-new Specs are uniquely positioned to understand the world through advanced machine learning, bring AI assistance into three-dimensional space, enable shared games and experiences with friends, and provide a flexible and powerful workstation for browsing, streaming, and more," the company adds. A number of tech companies are experimenting with AR glasses at the moment. Some are predicting they could become the next major computing platform, joining the smartphone and the PC. Short battery life, limited use cases, and high prices have hampered these devices before, but Snap seems to be confident it can pull off a viable AR glasses product by harnessing the latest components and generative AI to offer hands-free computing. In addition, the company noted: "People use AR Lenses in the Snapchat camera 8 billion times per day, and over 400,000 developers have built more than 4 million Lenses with Snap's world-leading AR tools."

Snap to launch 'Specs' smart glasses to revive challenge to Meta and Apple

Snap plans to relaunch its smart glasses to consumers next year, as the social media company rejoins a costly battle with Meta, OpenAI and Apple to create new artificial intelligence-powered wearable devices. The Los Angeles-based company on Tuesday announced a new device called "Specs", a decade after its first camera glasses, which after an initial buzz of excitement ultimately failed to catch on with consumers. Since then, chief executive Evan Spiegel has invested more than $3bn to build and develop Snap's own proprietary hardware, optical components and operating system for "augmented reality" eyewear that combines AI image recognition and the ability to display high-resolution 3D images. "I think there's a real understanding now that computers are going to need to evolve really meaningfully to fully realise the benefits and the advancements in AI," he told the Financial Times. "I think investors now understand the need for a new type of computer . . . If you look historically at computers, they haven't really been designed to bring out the best in humanity." The breakout success of OpenAI's ChatGPT and other chatbot assistants has triggered a multibillion-dollar race in Silicon Valley to develop new AI-enabled products that could replace the smartphone. This includes OpenAI's $6.4bn acquisition of former Apple design chief Sir Jony Ive's hardware start-up io last month. The parent company of social media app Snapchat also faces Big Tech rivals in the race to build "wearable computing". Meta has had some success with its "Ray-Ban Meta" smart glasses collaboration with French-Italian eyewear giant EssilorLuxottica, while also pushing ahead with its own AR glasses prototype, Orion. Apple released its "mixed reality" Vision Pro headset last year, although sales have been limited so far. Spiegel said Snap's Specs would take advantage of growing interest in new devices that use AI in ways that today's smartphones cannot. "A lot of the various necessary pieces have come together to enable this new product," he said. Snap's chief added he was not worried about resistance from investors over the higher risk and capital costs involved in consumer hardware -- something it learned in 2017 when it wrote off $40mn worth of excess inventory for unsold smart glasses. Despite growing Snapchat's audience of monthly active users to more than 900mn, Snap's shares have lost almost half their value over the past year, as it faces intense competition for advertising dollars from Meta and TikTok. Since going public in 2017, it has never reported an annual profit. That has not stopped Spiegel -- who along with co-founder Bobby Murphy holds majority voting control of the company through a special class of stock -- from betting that smart glasses can be the breakthrough that vaults Snap into tech's big leagues. "What's been really important is our ability to invest consistently in this vision over the last 11 years," Spiegel said. "If we can achieve any sort of consumer scale, the business itself is incredibly meaningful." Snap is withholding many details of Specs, including its price and what it looks like, until closer to launch. Spiegel said the device would be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and can operate fully standalone, without needing to connect to a smartphone or any other accessory like the tethered "puck" needed to power Apple's Vision Pro. "In our experiments so far, that's been very important for usability," he said. In 2021, Snap acquired WaveOptics, a UK supplier of "waveguide" optical systems that use tiny prisms to create holographic images. The first version of what was previously known as Spectacles to include a display was launched in 2021, but was only sold to app developers. An updated developer kit was released last year. Snap is using a combination of its own visual AI system and integrations with OpenAI, Google's Gemini and DeepSeek to power Specs. Spiegel hopes giving Specs the ability to see and understand what their users look at, then overlay useful information in exactly the right place through their display, will make the product more useful than today's smart glasses such as Meta's Ray-Bans that rely on microphones to talk to an AI assistant. "The real exercise for us in the coming years will be helping the broader community differentiate between basic smart glasses and immersive AR glasses," Spiegel said. "The difference with Specs is that you'll be able to have a full workstation, you'll be able to use immersive lenses together with your friends, you'll be able to bring AI into the world with you -- instead of just interacting via voice or with a tiny screen."

Snap to launch smart glasses for users in 2026 in challenge to Meta

June 10 (Reuters) - Snap (SNAP.N), opens new tab will launch its first-ever smart glasses for all consumers next year, ratcheting up competition with bigger rival Meta (META.O), opens new tab in the wearable technology market. The augmented reality smart glasses, called Specs, will be lightweight, the social media company said on Tuesday. Long known for its messaging app Snapchat and animated filters, Snap has been doubling down on AR, which can overlay digital effects onto photos or videos of real-life surroundings through a camera or lens. Integrating technology into wearable products can open up new lucrative markets and diversify revenue streams for Snap amid an uncertain digital ad market due to changing U.S. trade policies. The company had launched its 5th generation of Spectacles glasses in September, but these were only available to developers. The company has invested more than $3 billion over 11 years developing its augmented reality glasses, Snap co-founder and CEO Evan Spiegel said at the Augmented World Expo 2025 on Tuesday. "Before Snapchat had chat, we were building glasses." The popularity of Meta's Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses developed in partnership with EssilorLuxottica (ESLX.PA), opens new tab have prompted companies such Google to explore similar investments. Meta continues to add AI features to its glasses to attract more consumers. Snap said it would partner with augmented reality and geospatial technology platform Niantic Spatial to enhance the Lens Studio, which is an application used by creators to design, animate and publish AR lenses for Snapchat camera, and Specs. Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab Suggested Topics:Technology

Snap to launch smaller, lighter augmented reality Specs smartglasses in 2026

The head of Snapchat operator Snap, Evan Spiegel, presents the new generation of Spectacles in Los Angeles on Sept. 17, 2024. Snap on Tuesday announced its plans to release a sixth-generation of its augmented reality glasses in 2026, as competition in the smart glasses market continues to heat up. The maker of Snapchat said that its next-generation glasses will be called Specs, breaking with the company's Spectacles branding that it used for previous versions of its wearable devices. The Specs will use AR technology to let people see and interact with digital imagery that's overlaid over the physical world. Snap did not reveal a price or exact launch date for Specs, but the new glasses will be smaller and lighter than their predecessors, the company said. Snap's most recent Spectacles were released in September 2024 to developers only. That edition of the glasses was available under a leasing model that required users to commit to paying $99 a month for a full year. The consumer-focused Specs will run on the company's Snap OS operating systems. Snap said that developers will be able to incorporate Google's Gemini AI models into programs they develop for the smart glasses, giving coders more AI options to choose from as they write software for the device. Previously, developers could only use OpenAI's GPT family of AI models to build AR apps for the smart glasses. "We couldn't be more excited about the extraordinary progress in artificial intelligence and augmented reality that is enabling new, human-centered computing experiences," Snap CEO Evan Spiegel said in a statement. When Snap launched its first Spectacles glasses in 2016, the $130 wearable was limited to simple features like helping users shoot short videos that they could post to Snapchat. The company updated its glasses with augmented reality displays in 2021 that allowed users to see virtual imagery overlaid by the glasses over what users saw in the real world. Since then, competition in the world of head-mounted computers has grown. Apple began selling its $3,500 Vision Pro goggles in February 2024, while Meta now has a range of cutting-edge products including Quest VR headsets, Ray-Ban Meta smartglasses and the experimental Project Orion AR glasses, which the social media company showed off last fall. Google, meanwhile, announced its own entry into the space in May when it revealed a $150 million partnership with Warby Parker, which said it will release its own smart glasses sometime after this year.

Snap says new 'lightweight' AR glasses will come in 2026

Evan Spiegel said that the upcoming Specs will be smaller, more powerful and "ready for public release." Snap's next generation of standalone augmented reality glasses will arrive next year and will be smaller, lighter and more powerful than the the Snapchat maker introduced last year. CEO Evan Spiegel announced the upcoming glasses, which will be called "Specs," during a keynote at Augmented World Expo (AWE). "Specs are coming next year, in a much smaller form factor, at a fraction of the weight, with a ton more capability," Spiegel said. He said the glasses will be "ready for public release," but didn't provide details on how much they may cost. The current fifth-generation glasses are available only to approved developers willing to commit to a year-long $99/month subscription. Still, a smaller pair of AR glasses from Snap should be welcome news to Snapchat fans curious about the company's standalone AR device, but who may have been put off by its bulky, oversized design. Spiegel shared few details about the glasses, but in a blog post Snap suggested that AI will play an important role. "It's clear that today's devices and user interfaces are woefully inadequate to realize the full potential of AI," the company wrote. "Chatbots will soon give way to immersive experiences that bring AI into the world through augmented reality, empowering us to express ourselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together." The existing version of Spectacles already has some AI-powered experiences, thanks to a partnership with OpenAI. And Snap today also announced new integrations with OpenAI and Google that allow developers to build multimodal lenses for Spectacles that can use the built-in cameras to react to the wearer's surroundings. Developers have already created experiences for recipe generation, translation and currency conversion, Snap said. Spiegel did confirm that the AR lenses that developers are building now will work with the next-generation of frames. So whenever they do launch, there should be an established catalog of AR experiences for the glasses.

Snap Says Its 'Lightweight' AR Glasses Are Probably, Definitely, For Sure, Arriving Next Year

AR glasses are all the rage, and Snap doesn't want to be left out of the party. Between Meta and its Ray-Ban glasses, Xreal and its partnership with Google, and a rumored Samsung entrant that could arrive any day now, the smart glasses field is hot right now. No matter how crowded the field is getting, though, there's still one thing no one has yet to offer: augmented reality glasses with screens and all in a lightweight form factor that's similar to regular glasses. According to Snap, however, that AR unicorn is on its way. At Augmented World Exhibition (AWE) 2025, an annual expo for all things AR/XR, Snap said its next-gen spectacles, which are both "lightweight" and "immersive," will be launching next year. The details are still scant on pretty much everything, but based on its description of next year's Specs, the company behind Snapchat seems to think it's cracked the code. “We believe the time is right for a revolution in computing that naturally integrates our digital experiences with the physical world, and we can’t wait to publicly launch our new Specs next year,†said Snap CEO Evan Spiegel in a statement. “We couldn’t be more excited about the extraordinary progress in artificial intelligence and augmented reality that is enabling new, human-centered computing experiences. We believe Specs are the most advanced personal computer in the world, and we can’t wait for you to see for yourself.†There are some other equally vague hints at what we can expect out of next year's Specs, including mentions of AI, to no one's surprise, and applications with gaming, streaming, web browsing, and *sigh* work. That tells us a little bit about what we can expect, but also kind of nothing. One thing is for sure, though, and that's that Snap and Spiegel have been working towards making the definitive, groundbreaking pair of AR glasses for quite a while now. In 2019, Spiegel said smart glasses are still 10 years from mass adoption, and if my math is correct, it's 2025 and not 2029, so these upcoming Specs may just be a precursor still. Snap definitely has some work cut out for itself before it can call its Specs "lightweight." Current versions look more like a Halloween costume than something you'd want to wear to the park. Whatever Snap ends up releasing, it's going to have some competitors. Google just recently unveiled a partnership with AR glasses company Xreal that combines the company's Android XR operating system with Xreal's hardware. That's still in development at the moment, but it's clear that Google is actively taking strides towards throwing its hat into the AR glasses world in earnest. Then there's Meta. While the Ray-Ban smart glasses are just a glimmer of what smart glasses can be, Meta reportedly has plans to inch towards a pair of Ray-Bans that feels more futuristic, which would include the use of an actual display inside the lens for navigation, notifications, and more. That's not even counting Meta's Project Orion glasses, which combine elements of VR headsets like real compute power with the smaller form factor of glasses. Neither of those is a consumer product, but a lot can happen in a few years. For now, Snap will take a similar route to what we've seen already on the smart glasses front. It announced at AWE that Snap OS, the operating system that powers its Specs, will integrate both Google's Gemini AI and OpenAI's ChatGPT to offer "multimodal AI-powered" experiences. That should look similar to what we've seen with Meta's AI integration that lets you use on-device cameras to take in your surroundings and offer feedback. For example, looking at a pair of shoes and saying, "WHAT ARE THOSE?" and having your glasses (hopefully) tell you what you're looking at. I hope for everyone's sake that whatever the integration is, it works better than Meta AIâ€"an AI experience that I've found to be finicky at best. Either way, by Spiegel's own words, Snap is still a player in the AR glasses game, and next year may be the year we find out how much of a competitor it really is. As someone who's pretty excited about the AR glasses space, I'm hoping that it actually delivers on its vision before it gets swallowed by competition.

Snapchat announces that new lightweight AR Spectacles will be launching next year - 9to5Mac

At Augmented World Expo 2025, Snapchat announced a next-generation version of Snap Spectacles. These new spectacles should have a more lightweight and immersive design, and will be launching to the public next year. I had the opportunity to go hands on with the fifth generation Snap Spectacles towards the end of last year, and they were quite impressive. That generation of Spectacles was only available for developers, and weren't planned to launch to the public. They were also fair bit bulky, but they served as a means for developers to get working on their lenses for an eventual public release. Now, Snap is announcing that a version of Snapchat Spectacles, their immersive AR glasses - will be launching to the public in 2026. They'll be called 'Specs', and Snap describes them as "an ultra-powerful wearable computer integrated into a lightweight pair of glasses, featuring see-through Lenses that enhance the physical world with digital experiences." Compared to the previous version of Snap Spectacles for developers - these should look much nicer. Plus, they're all-in-one, no compute puck or external battery required. Evan Spiegel, CEO of Snap, shared the following about Snap Specs: "We believe the time is right for a revolution in computing that naturally integrates our digital experiences with the physical world, and we can't wait to publicly launch our new Specs next year," said Evan Spiegel, co-founder and CEO of Snap Inc. "We couldn't be more excited about the extraordinary progress in artificial intelligence and augmented reality that is enabling new, human-centered computing experiences. We believe Specs are the most advanced personal computer in the world, and we can't wait for you to see for yourself." Snap also announced a couple of noteworthy changes for Snap OS, the operating system that runs on Snap Specs: There'll also be fleet management, allowing developers to manage multiple pairs of Specs, a new Guided mode that makes it easier to demo to guests, and Guided Navigation - which'll allow developers to make AR guided tours in real world places. All in all, this new version of Specs sounds quite impressive - and I'm looking forward to their launch next year! You can learn more about the launch from Snapchat's newsroom post.

Goodbye, Spectacles - reimagined Snap Specs now set to launch in 2026 with a ton of new features and OpenAI and Gemini integration

The race to put augmented reality smart glasses on your face is heating up. Snap Spectacles are transforming into "Specs" and will launch as lighter and more powerful AR wearables in 2026. CEO Evan Spiegel announced the all-new Specs on stage at the XR event AWE, promising smart glasses that are smaller, considerably lighter, and "with a ton more capability." The company didn't spell out a specific time frame or price, but the 2026 launch schedule does put Meta on notice, which is busy prepping its exciting Orion AR glasses for 2027. It appears, Snap Specs will face off with the Samsung/Google Android XR-based Glasses, which are also expected sometime in 2026. As for what consumers can expect from Specs, Snap is building them on the same Snap OS used in its fifth-generation Spectacles (and likely still using a pair of Qualcomm Snapdragon XR chips). That means all the interface and interaction metaphors, like gesture-based controls, will remain. But there are a significant number of new features and integrations that will start showing up this year, long before Specs arrive, including AI. Spiegel explained the updates by first revealing that Snap started working on glasses "before Snapchat" was even a thing and that the company's overarching goal is "making computers more human." He added that "with advances in AI, computers are thinking and acting like humans more than ever before." Snap's plan with these updates to Snap OS is to bring AI platforms into the real world. They're bringing Gemini and OpenAI models into Snap OS, which means that some multi-model AI capabilities will soon be part of Fifth Generation Spectacles and, eventually, Specs. These tools might be used for on-the-fly text translation and currency conversion. The updated platform also adds tools for Snap Lenses builders that will integrate with the Spectacles' and Specs' AR waveform-based display capabilities. A new Snap3D API, for instance, will let developers use GenAI to create 3D objects in lenses. The updates will include a Depth Module AI, which can read 2D information to create 3D maps that will help anchor virtual objects in a 3D world. Businesses deploying Spectables (and eventually Specs) may appreciate the new Fleet Management app, which will let developers manage and remotely monitor multiple Specs at once, and the ability to deploy the Specs for guided navigation at, say, a museum. Later, Snap OS will add WebXR support to build AR and VR experiences within Web browsers. Spiegel claimed that, through lenses in Snapchat, Snap has the largest AR platform in the world. "People use our AR lenses in our camera 8 billion times a day." That is a lot, but it's virtually all through smartphones. At the moment, only developers are using the bulky Spectacles and their Lenses capabilities. The consumer release of Specs could change that. When I tried Spectacles last year, I was impressed with the experience and found them, while not quite as good as Meta Orion glasses (the lack of gaze-tracking stood out for me), full of potential. A lighter form factor that approaches or surpasses what I found with Orion and have seen in some Samsung Android XR glasses, could vault Snap Specs into the AR Glasses lead. That is, providing they do not cost $2000.

Snap to launch consumer AR smart glasses in 2026

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel reportedly announced plans Tuesday to release consumer-ready AR smart glasses, named Specs, at the Augmented World Expo in Long Beach, California. According to a Snap spokesperson, the glasses are slated for release in 2026, TechCrunch reports. The Specs will incorporate augmented reality and artificial intelligence functionalities similar to those in the Spectacles 5, Snap's developer-focused smart glasses. These Specs will be smaller and lighter, designed for public use. Equipped with see-through lenses, the Specs will project graphics onto the user's field of vision. An AI assistant, powered by Snap technology, will process both audio and video input. Snap's initial foray into consumer smart glasses occurred in 2016 with the first Spectacles, which experienced low sales. Since then, the AR glasses market has become competitive, with companies like Meta and Google developing their own AR products. Meta intends to launch glasses with a built-in screen, codenamed "Hypernova," in 2025. Google has initiated partnerships with Warby Parker, Samsung, and others to create Android XR smart glasses. Apple reportedly plans to release its smart glasses in 2026 Snap intends to leverage its SnapOS developer ecosystem to gain a competitive advantage. The company indicated that many of the augmented reality experiences, known as Lenses, already developed for Snapchat and Spectacles will be compatible with the new Specs. Spiegel demonstrated various Lenses, including "Super Travel," which translates foreign signage and menus, and "Cookmate," which suggests recipes based on available ingredients and provides step-by-step cooking instructions. Details regarding the Specs' cost, sales channels, and design remain undisclosed by Snap. Snap introduced developer updates to enhance the SnapOS platform. Developers now have the capability to create applications using multimodal AI models from OpenAI and Google DeepMind. A "Depth Module API" will enable the anchoring of AR graphics from large language models in three-dimensional space. Snap is partnering with Niantic Spatial, formerly of Pokémon Go, to develop AI-powered maps.

Snap just launched its new 'Specs' AR glasses - Phandroid

Snap just took the wraps off its next-gen AR glasses at AWE 2025. They're called Specs now, not Spectacles, and they're set to launch for consumers in 2026. If you've lost track, this is the sixth version -- except, this time, Snap actually seems serious about making them something regular people might wear. The new Snap Specs AR glasses will be lighter, smaller, and way more powerful than before. This isn't just about making video for Snapchat anymore. Snap wants Specs to be a full-blown wearable computer, running Snap OS, and loaded with AI tools that actually sound useful. One of the biggest changes is that Snap Specs AR glasses will run not just OpenAI's models but also Google's Gemini AI. That opens up new options for developers, who can now bake in smarter, multimodal AI tools into their apps. Want to translate menus in Tokyo, get pool table tips, or have recipes pop up while cooking? Third-party developers have already created working demos. Snap has always been early with AR glasses, but now the race is on. Apple's $3,500 Vision Pro fizzled, but Meta's Ray-Bans are everywhere, and Google's Android XR is coming up fast. Snap is betting Specs will be the sweet spot: lighter, more social, actually wearable, and with a huge developer base already building AR stuff that people use daily. There's no price yet, but Snap is pitching Specs as "the most advanced personal computer in the world." That's a lot of hype, but hey, at least they're aiming for something bigger than just a face camera. If Snap delivers on the AI, 3D, and AR promises, Specs could finally be more than a party trick. Snap Specs AR glasses launch in 2026. Let's see if the sixth time's the charm.

Snap Reveals When It Will Launch a Consumer Version of Its AR Glasses

Snap's Specs will support machine learning and AI-powered features Snap has announced that it will launch a new product called 'Specs' next year, as a consumer version of its augmented reality (AR) smart glasses. The parent firm behind Snapchat, the video and photo-based messaging platform, has already launched five generations of AR glasses, but access has been limited to developers. The upcoming Snap Specs product will offer support for machine learning and an AI assistant, and users will also be able to share games with friends. It is also expected to work with the Snapchat app. At the ongoing Augmented World Expo 2025 in California, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel announced that the company will launch a pair of AR smart glasses called Specs in 2026. The first commercially available smart glasses from Snap will be a "wearable computer integrated into a lightweight pair of glasses", according to the executive. A demo of a use accessing recipes on the Snap Spectacles Photo Credit: Snap Snap says it has invested $3 billion (roughly Rs. 25,650 crore) and spent the past 11 years developing AR glasses. The fifth generation of Snap's smart glasses was released last year, but these older models have been restricted to developers. The upcoming Snap Specs will run on the company's in-house Snap OS and offer support for "three-dimensional" AI assistance. The company hasn't shared any details of the Snap Specs' specifications, but we can expect more details to surface online in the coming months. Last year's developer-only model was equipped with two Snapdragon chips, a battery that could offer up to 45 minutes of use on a single charge, and titanium vapour chambers for improved thermal performance. Snap OS has also received multiple updates, including support for integrations with OpenAI and Gemini on Google Cloud. Developers can add AI-powered Lenses for Snapchat that offer currency conversion or text translation, or access to recipes based on visible ingredients. Meanwhile, new Depth Module, Snap3D, and Automatic Speech Recognition APIs will also be available to developers, according to the company.

Snapchat's first real AR glasses are coming next year - but I'm not convinced yet | Stuff

Snapchat is focusing on gaming experiences first, and I'm not sure that's the right move for AR glasses success in the long run Snapchat's latest announcement isn't another filter, but rather a proper pair of augmented reality glasses. That's real AR, not just glasses that mirror your smartphone or let you watch movies. Announced at the AWE AR conference, the glasses - dubbed simply "Specs" - are Snap's first attempt at taking AR mainstream. The pitch is bold. Snap wants to blend digital and physical reality, mixing in AI assistance, spatial computing, and multiplayer games. Because apparently the future of human-computer interaction involves shooting virtual ghouls in your kitchen or learning to play drums in your hallway. Did you catch the sarcasm there? According to CEO Evan Spiegel, Snap has spent over $3 billion across more than a decade on this. Don't get me wrong, I'm not totally unimpressed. These AR glasses are reportedly thinner, lighter, and pack a wider field of view than anything that's available now. There's integration with OpenAI and Google's Gemini, which sounds rather clever. Developer support is already there. You can overlay recipe steps, get help with your pool shot, or embark on "whimsical adventures" - a phrase that already makes me want to lie down. But the thing is, the entire product philosophy seems laser-focused on fun first, with productivity and utility trailing far behind. That's where I start to get twitchy. Snap says this is the most advanced personal computer in the world. Big claim. And while I'm all for ditching rectangular phones, I'm not sold on the idea that Specs are the AR glasses we've been waiting for. If Snap genuinely wants these to be the next computing platform, shouldn't they be pitching more than just "play games with your mates and maybe cook a stew"? I think VR headsets cover this nicely, and there's no real need to walk life ignoring people having a conversation with you while you play games. There's a real opportunity here - spatial computing and AI have huge potential in productivity, education, and accessibility. But Snap seems more interested in continuing to glue your eyes to entertainment while you go outside to touch grass. Either way, Snap's Specs are coming in 2026, with no firm date yet. Pricing is still under wraps, but Spiegel says it'll cost less than Apple's $3499 Vision Pro.

Snap to launch lightweight, immersive spectacles in 2026 as smartglass race heats up

Snap's Specs are wearable computers that are integrated into a lightweight pair of glasses featuring see-through lenses that augment the physical world. In 2024, the parent company of the messaging app Snapchat released the fifth generation of its Spectacles specifically for developers, leading the way for the public launch of Specs in 2026.Snap Inc., the parent company of the ephemeral messaging app Snapchat, announced on Tuesday that it will launch immersive smart glasses called Specs in 2026. This is in line with other Big Tech companies targeting the lucrative smart glasses market, each looking for the next breakthrough in tech hardware. Snap's Specs are wearable computers integrated into a lightweight pair of glasses featuring see-through lenses that augment the physical world. In 2024, the tech company released the fifth generation of its Spectacles specifically for developers, paving the way for the public launch of Specs in 2026. "We believe the time is right for a revolution in computing that naturally integrates our digital experiences with the physical world, and we will publicly launch our new Specs next year," said CEO and cofounder Evan Spiegel. The company said its AR Lenses in the Snapchat camera are used eight billion times per day, and over 400,000 developers have built more than four million Lenses with Snap's AR tools. The company said it is working with Niantic to integrate its Visual Positioning System (VPS) into its Lens Studio development tools and smart glasses. Additionally, it will integrate WebXR support directly into the browser, allowing developers to build, test, and access augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences. New for Snap OS Snap also announced major updates to Snap OS, including integration with OpenAI and Gemini on Google Cloud. The company now enables developers to build multimodal AI-powered Lenses and publish them for the Spectacles community. It also announced the Automated Speech Recognition API, which allows real-time transcription for over 40 languages, including non-native accents. Big Tech eyes new market Big Tech companies are racing to one-up each other in the smart glasses market, as they see it as the next space for human-computer interaction and a new way to interact with technology. Here are some of the latest developments in the space: - Meta currently leads in smart glass sales with its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, with over one million units sold in 2024. These glasses offer features like photo or video capture, music, calls, and voice commands powered by Meta AI. - Google marked a return to this market after its initial failure to crack it with "Google Glass." - At Google I/O 2025, the tech giant unveiled Project Aura, a new pair of immersive smart glasses powered by Android XR, also highlighting its lightweight nature. It is an "optical see-through XR" device, overlaying virtual content onto the real world through transparent lenses. Google's AI capabilities will also be integrated into these with Gemini. - Apple is reportedly planning a 2026 launch for its smart glasses as well, as it faces pressure in the AI-enhanced gadgets segment. Apple is developing dedicated chips for these glasses and aims to start mass production next year.

Snapchat Parent To Launch Light Weight AR Smart Glasses To Compete With Meta, Apple - Snap (NYSE:SNAP)

Snap Inc SNAP announced Tuesday at the Augmented World Expo 2025 that it is launching lightweight, immersive AR glasses called Specs in 2026. Specs are an ultra-powerful wearable computer integrated into a lightweight pair of glasses featuring see-through Lenses that enhance the physical world with digital experiences. Snap's all-new Specs are positioned to understand the world through advanced machine learning, bring AI assistance into three-dimensional space, enable shared games and experiences with friends, and provide a flexible and powerful workstation for browsing and streaming. Also Read: Analyst Cautions On Snap As Meta And Google Benefit From Ad Spending Shifts People use AR Lenses in the Snapchat camera 8 billion times daily, and over 400,000 developers have built over 4 million Lenses with Snap's world-leading AR tools. Snap released its fifth generation of Spectacles for developers in 2024, paving the way for the public launch of Specs in 2026. Snap is also launching new tools specifically for developers building location-based experiences. Meta Platforms META is reportedly gearing up to release an over $1,000 version of its smart glasses to challenge Apple Inc's AAPL AR ambitions. The new version of Meta's smart glasses will come with a built-in screen, hand-gesture controls, and a price tag ranging from $1,000-$1,400 compared to the $3,500 Vision Pro. Price Action: SNAP stock traded higher by 2.30% to $8.69 at last check Wednesday. Read Next: Apple Doubles Down On Vision Pro With Metallica Concert Experience: But Can Rock Legends Save A $3,499 Headset That's Already Being Scaled Back? Photo by NYCStock via Shutterstock SNAPSnap Inc$8.591.18%Stock Score Locked: Want to See it? Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Reveal Full ScoreEdge RankingsMomentum11.30Growth16.63QualityNot AvailableValue17.47Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewAAPLApple Inc$199.12-1.75%METAMeta Platforms Inc$694.85-1.07%Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Snap to launch smart glasses for users in 2026 in challenge to Meta

Snap will launch its first-ever smart glasses for all consumers next year, ratcheting up competition with bigger rival Meta in the wearable technology market. The augmented reality smart glasses, called Specs, will be lightweight, the social media company said on Tuesday. Long known for its messaging app Snapchat and animated filters, Snap has been doubling down on AR, which can overlay digital effects onto photos or videos of real-life surroundings through a camera or lens. Integrating technology into wearable products can open up new lucrative markets and diversify revenue streams for Snap amid an uncertain digital ad market due to changing U.S. trade policies. The company had launched its 5th generation of Spectacles glasses in September, but these were only available to developers. The company has invested more than $3 billion over 11 years developing its augmented reality glasses, Snap co-founder and CEO Evan Spiegel said at the Augmented World Expo 2025 on Tuesday. "Before Snapchat had chat, we were building glasses." The popularity of Meta's Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses developed in partnership with EssilorLuxottica ESLX.PA have prompted companies such Google to explore similar investments. Meta continues to add AI features to its glasses to attract more consumers. Snap said it would partner with augmented reality and geospatial technology platform Niantic Spatial to enhance the Lens Studio, which is an application used by creators to design, animate and publish AR lenses for Snapchat camera, and Specs.

Snap to launch new AR glasses in 2026, reveals developer tools By Investing.com

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Snap Inc. (NYSE: SNAP), currently trading at $8.76 and showing a 14.91% revenue growth over the last twelve months, announced plans to release a new version of its augmented reality glasses, called Specs, to the public in 2026. The announcement was made Tuesday at the Augmented World Expo 2025. According to InvestingPro analysis, the company appears undervalued based on its Fair Value metrics, despite facing recent market challenges with its stock down 21.08% year-to-date. The company, with a market capitalization of $14.62 billion, described Specs as "an ultra-powerful wearable computer integrated into a lightweight pair of glasses" with see-through lenses that overlay digital content onto the physical world. The device is being positioned as a personal computer that incorporates artificial intelligence and augmented reality technology. InvestingPro data shows that while Snap maintains strong liquidity with current assets exceeding short-term obligations, the company is focusing on innovation to drive future growth. "We believe the time is right for a revolution in computing that naturally integrates our digital experiences with the physical world," said Evan Spiegel, co-founder and CEO of Snap Inc., according to the press release. Snap also announced updates to its operating system, Snap OS, including integrations with OpenAI and Gemini on Google Cloud, allowing developers to create AI-powered applications. Additional features include a Depth Module API, Automated Speech Recognition API supporting over 40 languages, and Snap3D API for generating 3D objects. The company introduced new developer tools specifically for location-based experiences, including a Fleet Management app, Guided Mode, and Guided Navigation for creating AR-guided tours. Snap also announced an upcoming partnership with Niantic Spatial to implement their Visual Positioning System and plans to add WebXR support in the browser. Snap released its fifth generation of Spectacles for developers in 2024, which has enabled developers to create applications ranging from travel assistance and musical instruction to gaming and cooking guidance. The company reports that users engage with AR Lenses in the Snapchat camera 8 billion times daily, and more than 400,000 developers have created over 4 million Lenses using Snap's augmented reality tools. With analysts expecting profitability this year and net income growth, as revealed by InvestingPro, Snap's strategic focus on AR technology could be pivotal for its financial future. For deeper insights into Snap's financial health and growth potential, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report, available exclusively on InvestingPro, covering over 1,400 top US stocks. In other recent news, Snap Inc. reported first-quarter results that exceeded Wall Street's expectations despite a challenging macroeconomic environment. Revenue growth continued, though there was a lack of clarity regarding the contribution of advertising revenue versus that from the Snapchat+ subscription service. Stifel analysts maintained a Hold rating on Snap stock with a price target of $8.00, expressing caution due to limited near-term visibility and potential advertising budget reductions. Loop Capital Markets also adjusted their outlook for Snap, lowering the price target to $12.00 from $16.00 but maintaining a Buy rating, highlighting Snap's substantial user base and revenue growth opportunities. Benchmark reiterated its Hold rating on Snap, noting significant improvements in the company's advertising technology, which now accounts for 75% of Snap's revenue. These advancements have led to a 60% increase in active advertisers, particularly in e-commerce and retail sectors. Meanwhile, TikTok, owned by ByteDance, faces scrutiny from the European Commission for potentially breaching the EU's Digital Services Act regarding advertisement information. Additionally, TikTok has been fined $600 million by the EU regulator over data protection concerns, with demands to halt data transfers to China unless compliance standards are met.

Snap to launch smart glasses for users in 2026 in challenge to Meta

(Reuters) -Snap will launch its first-ever smart glasses for all consumers next year, ratcheting up competition with bigger rival Meta in the wearable technology market. The augmented reality smart glasses, called Specs, will be lightweight, the social media company said on Tuesday. Long known for its messaging app Snapchat and animated filters, Snap has been doubling down on AR, which can overlay digital effects onto photos or videos of real-life surroundings through a camera or lens. Integrating technology into wearable products can open up new lucrative markets and diversify revenue streams for Snap amid an uncertain digital ad market due to changing U.S. trade policies. The company had launched its 5th generation of Spectacles glasses in September, but these were only available to developers. The company has invested more than $3 billion over 11 years developing its augmented reality glasses, Snap co-founder and CEO Evan Spiegel said at the Augmented World Expo 2025 on Tuesday. "Before Snapchat had chat, we were building glasses." The popularity of Meta's Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses developed in partnership with EssilorLuxottica have prompted companies such Google to explore similar investments. Meta continues to add AI features to its glasses to attract more consumers. Snap said it would partner with augmented reality and geospatial technology platform Niantic Spatial to enhance the Lens Studio, which is an application used by creators to design, animate and publish AR lenses for Snapchat camera, and Specs. (Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo)

Snap to Launch New Lightweight, Immersive Specs in 2026

Snap Inc. (NYSE: SNAP) announced today at the Augmented World Expo 2025 that it is launching lightweight, immersive Specs in 2026. Specs are an ultra-powerful wearable computer integrated into a lightweight pair of glasses, featuring see-through Lenses that enhance the physical world with digital experiences. Snap's all-new Specs are uniquely positioned to understand the world through advanced machine learning, bring AI assistance into three-dimensional space, enable shared games and experiences with friends, and provide a flexible and powerful workstation for browsing, streaming, and more. "We believe the time is right for a revolution in computing that naturally integrates our digital experiences with the physical world, and we can't wait to publicly launch our new Specs next year," said Evan Spiegel, co-founder and CEO of Snap Inc. "We couldn't be more excited about the extraordinary progress in artificial intelligence and augmented reality that is enabling new, human-centered computing experiences. We believe Specs are the most advanced personal computer in the world, and we can't wait for you to see for yourself." People use AR Lenses in the Snapchat camera 8 billion times per day, and over 400,000 developers have built more than 4 million Lenses with Snap's world-leading AR tools. Snap released its fifth generation of Spectacles for developers in 2024, paving the way for the public launch of Specs in 2026. Developers all over the world are already building new experiences, including: The company also announced major updates to Snap OS, building on feedback and suggestions from its developer community: Snap is also launching new tools specifically for developers building location-based experiences, making it easier to bring monuments, museums, and more to life: These tools support developers like Enklu, which operates holographic theater Verse Immersive in more than a dozen locations across the US. Now, Verse Immersive customers in Chicago can use Spectacles to play their new game SightCraft with friends, and it will roll out in more locations this year. And coming soon: If you're interested in building for Specs before launch, you can join our developer program here: www.spectacles.com/lens-studio About Snap Inc. Snap Inc. is a technology company. We believe the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. We contribute to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together. For more information, visit snap.com.

Snap to launch AR glasses next year: All you need to know

Specs are meant to help people stay present in their surroundings while still enjoying digital experiences in real time. You've probably heard about Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses. Now, one more contender is entering the race to bring augmented reality (AR) to your eyes -- Snap. The company behind Snapchat has announced that it will launch a new pair of AR glasses called Specs in 2026. "We believe the time is right for a revolution in computing that naturally integrates our digital experience with the physical world. That's why we've spent 11 years and more than $3 billion to invent a new type of computer for augmented reality, designed to enhance the physical world with digital experiences. We call them Specs, an ultra-powerful wearable computer integrated into a lightweight pair of glasses with see-thru lenses," Snap shared in a blogpost. Also read: Google rolls out Android 16 with iPhone-style live updates, better hearing aid support and smarter notifications Specs use advanced machine learning to understand the world around you, bring AI into 3D space, support shared games, and let you browse, stream or work. Snap says today's smartphones have reached their limits. "The tiny smartphone limited our imagination. It forced us to look down at a screen, instead of up at the world," the company said. Specs are meant to help people stay present in their surroundings while still enjoying digital experiences in real time. Snap has also introduced tools to make the developer experience smoother like the Fleet Management app that helps developers monitor and control multiple Specs remotely. Guided Mode lets Specs start directly into a specific AR experience for visitors. Also read: Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold price drops by Rs 30,000: Check deal details here "We've always built our products to make technology feel more human," Snap said. If you're interested in building for Specs before launch, you can join our developer program here: www.spectacles.com/lens-studio. Also read: How to install iOS 26 on your iPhone: Eligible devices, new features, and more