At Snap Partner Summit 2024, Snapchat launched its 5th generation of Spectacles, introducing new see-through AR glasses. These standalone AR glasses allow users to interact with Lenses, experiencing augmented reality (AR) in real life, alongside friends.
Powered by Snap OS
Spectacles are driven by Snap OS, a new operating system created for seamless interaction with the real world. According to Snap, Spectacles reflect ten years of R&D aimed at breaking screen boundaries and fostering real-world connections.
Key Features and Specs
- Weight: 226 grams, lighter than most VR headsets.
- Cameras: Four integrated cameras support Snap’s Spatial Engine, enabling hand tracking.
- Optical Engine: Developed in-house, this AR system uses Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) micro-projectors to deliver sharp visuals.
- Waveguides: Each waveguide features billions of nanostructures to guide light into view, eliminating complex calibrations or custom fittings.
- Field of View: 46-degree diagonal field with a resolution of 37 pixels per degree, comparable to a 100-inch screen viewed from 10 feet away.
- Adaptive Tinting: Spectacles automatically adjust based on lighting for vibrant images, even in direct sunlight.
- Processor: Dual Qualcomm Snapdragon chips, improving power efficiency and heat dissipation with titanium vapor chambers. The device provides up to 45 minutes of continuous use.
Snap OS: Natural Interactions
Snap OS is designed for intuitive interaction using hand gestures and voice commands. The Snap Spatial Engine processes the environment to render Lenses in 3D with just 13 milliseconds of motion-to-photon latency, offering lifelike Lens integration.
Developer Support
Snap is committed to empowering developers by removing the developer tax and providing new tools, including:
- Lens Studio 5.0: Streamlined for easy Lens development and quick project deployment to Spectacles.
- Spectacles Interaction Kit: Pre-built systems to simplify interaction design.
- Code Support: Enhanced support for TypeScript, JavaScript, and version control for teams.
- SnapML: Integrates custom machine learning models into Lenses, augmenting objects in real time.
Snap is also collaborating with OpenAI to incorporate multimodal AI models into Spectacles, providing more context for what users “see, say, or hear.”
Partnerships
Several partners are already working with Spectacles to create new AR experiences, such as:
- LEGO Group: An interactive AR game, BRICKTACULAR, uses hand and voice control to build LEGO sets in AR.
- ILM Immersive: New Star Wars-themed experiences.
- Niantic: Bringing experiences like Peridot and Scaniverse to Spectacles.
- Wabisabi Games: New ways to play capture the flag using AR.
Availability
Spectacles are available through the Spectacles Developer Program in the U.S. for USD 99 (Rs. 8,290 approx.) per month (one-year commitment), including developer support to bring AR projects to life.