Snapchat's Parent Company Releases New Smart Glasses
Snapchat's parent company, Snap Inc, has announced the release of new smart glasses, a decade after its initial model resulted in tens of millions of dollars in losses for the company.
The new augmented reality (AR) glasses, named Specs, will enable users to view digital elements superimposed onto the real world. These glasses will be priced at $2,195 (£1,636) and are scheduled to begin shipping this autumn.
This price point positions them below Apple's Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, which starts at $3,499, but significantly above Meta's more affordable smart glasses range, which costs between $224 and $499.
Industry Perspectives and Pricing
Evan Spiegel, co-founder and chief executive of Snap Inc, described the glasses as marking the
"beginning of a new era in computing".
Ben Hatton, a market analyst at FDM CCS Insight, commented on the pricing, stating that the cost means the technology is
"unlikely to become a mainstream device any time soon".
He further noted that Snap's primary demographic of younger consumers
"rarely have this sort of money to spend on a single gadget,"which could limit widespread adoption.
A refundable deposit of $200 is required to pre-order the glasses, which will be available for shipment in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.
Design and Battery Life
Snap indicates that the Specs are designed to be
"wearable for everyday life,"although the battery life averages four hours before requiring a recharge.
Unlike Meta's Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses, Snap's Specs operate independently without the need to be tethered to a smartphone.
They also differ from Apple's Vision Pro, which is primarily intended for home use and requires a wired connection to an external "puck" or battery pack.
Hatton remarked that while this design enhances
"wearability and mobility"for users, it comes
"at the cost of lower battery output".
He added,
"Despite the impressive features and experiences available through Specs, glasses with a 4-hour mixed-use battery life and bulky design are not going to replace the smartphone any time soon."
The glasses come with a charging case that provides up to 20 hours of battery life.
Features and Functionality
Users will have access to an AI assistant integrated into the glasses, enabling them to perform tasks such as obtaining directions or asking questions about objects in their view.
The Specs will also support activities including watching videos, browsing the internet, playing augmented reality games, and recording the user's perspective.
Privacy Concerns and Safeguards
Smart glasses have faced criticism regarding privacy issues, particularly instances where they have been used to record women in public without their consent.
In February, the UK's data privacy authority, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), contacted Meta following reports that data workers in Kenya were required to view videos filmed with Meta's smart glasses depicting people engaged in sexual activity and using the toilet.
Spiegel emphasized the importance of privacy, stating,
"Privacy has to be built in from the very beginning,"and added,
"Specs only work if people trust them".
The glasses include a built-in light that illuminates when recording is active. Snap has stated that users will have control over what data is stored, synchronized, shared, or deleted.
Market Reaction
Following the announcement at the Augmented World Expo conference in California on Tuesday, Snap Inc's shares declined by approximately 9%.
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