Snap unveils its first AR glasses, with four built-in microphones, two stereo speakers, and a touchpad, and says it will test them with some AR effects creators

The fourth-gen glasses have built-in AR displays — Snap's new Spectacles glasses are its most ambitious yet.

The Verge 2021-05-21 Alex Heath

Context & Ripple Effects

Snap had signaled that its next Spectacles would target AR developers and creators; the creator testing program turns that plan into a hardware-and-software feedback loop. The glasses’ lens-projected imagery makes the creator ecosystem, rather than broad retail distribution, the immediate test bed.

That focus fits the product’s subsequent limitations: a hands-on report found overheating and roughly 30-minute battery life kept the device off sale. Later additions including GPS support, hand tracking, and an AR keyboard show Snap iterating on the interaction layer that creators would need.

First-order effects

Selected AR effects creators gain an on-device environment for testing Lenses with visual displays, audio, microphones, and touch input rather than only phone-based experiences.
Snap gets creator feedback on both the glasses hardware and the kinds of AR effects its platform can support, while keeping the initial rollout controlled.

Second-order effects

The early-access model makes Spectacles’ appeal depend on whether Snap’s creator community produces interactions that justify the device’s hardware compromises; the later overheating and battery constraints narrow the viable use cases.
Each capability upgrade shifts more Lens design work toward location, hand input, and text entry, raising the importance of Snap OS and its creator tooling relative to the glasses’ industrial design alone.

Third-order effects

If Snap can carry creator-built AR experiences across hardware generations, Spectacles can evolve from an experimental accessory into a standalone computing platform, as indicated by the later fully standalone Specs announcement.
AR-glasses competition is likely to hinge on the combined machine-perception, input, and power stack: richer interaction features increase the pressure to solve the battery and heat limits evident in this generation.

The trend: Consumer AR glasses are developing through creator-led hardware trials, with successive improvements in input and standalone capability determining whether the platform can move beyond experimentation.

Discussion

@spectacles @spectacles on x
Tapping the vast potential of @Snap's AR platform, the next generation of Spectacles allow you to overlay Lenses directly onto the world in front of you, for an immersive AR experience. #SnapPartnerSummit https://www.spectacles.com/ https://twitter.com/...
@spectacles @spectacles on x
Step into the future with the next generation of Spectacles. Our first display glasses built for creators to explore new ways to fuse fun and utility through immersive AR. #SnapPartnerSummit https://www.spectacles.com/ https://twitter.com/...
@raywongy @raywongy on x
Um... the new Snapchat AR Spectacles have a ... 30 minute battery life https://twitter.com/...
@caseynewton Casey Newton on x
The new Snap Spectacles have a real Cybertruck vibe https://twitter.com/...
@sophiaedm Sophia Dominguez on x
create the world that you want to see. spectacles @snap 🤩😎 https://twitter.com/...
@tim Tim Bradshaw on x
“Nobody else is doing this right now, in the way that we are and in the form factor that we are,” @evanspiegel tells @FT as Snap launches AR @Spectacles. “I don't think people expect us to be this far along. Every other product out there is like a helmet.” https://www.ft.com/...
@alexeheath Alex Heath on x
quite a different vibe than Scoble in the shower https://t.co/uVWoSY40Mf
@alexeheath Alex Heath on x
Snap just announced its first real pair of AR glasses. They are technically ambitious but only accessible through an application program. Evan Spiegel told me the goal is to “help unlock a new way to use AR hands-free” for Snapchat's creators. More here: https://www.theverge.com/…
@bpowtweets Brandon Powers on x
.@Snap agrees that artists should be the center of the XR world & has done an incredible job of building the bridge to it with smart tools, clear vocabulary, and a deliberate roadmap. By focusing on “lenses,” not “apps,” they've built an accessible ecosystem that consumers GET. h…
@lauryn2 Lauryn Morris on x
It's finally here! 😎 I'm so proud to share the news that today, Snap has introduced the next generation of Spectacles. Congratulations to my team and Snap on this milestone! https://twitter.com/...
@ajs Alyson Shontell on x
But they don't...really...look like that...do they? They look like the paper 3D glasses you used to put on at the movies at the smithsonian. https://twitter.com/...
@martyswant Marty Swant on x
In my own very humble opinion, I feel like Snap is the most creatively and technically ambitious social media company on the market right now. https://twitter.com/...
@andreelijah @andreelijah on x
Man, some secrets are tough to keep contained! Glad that the news is finally out! https://twitter.com/...
@karaswisher Kara Swisher on x
I'll be baaaack. Also @Snapchat ceo @evanspiegel and I chat about his latest Spectacle effort and more: https://www.nytimes.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@hallstephenj Stephen Hall on x
like a cybertruck for your face https://twitter.com/...
@msolis488 Mark Solis on x
@Dilmerv @Snapchat Overall I do agree that the Snap platform for general mobile AR is wayyyy better than what Facebook is doing. They just need to do better on their ad platform for small businesses to justify ad spending for AR ads. I
@cixliv Cix on x
More AR glasses coming. This time from @Snapchat. The war for Augmented Reality is going to heat up soon. https://twitter.com/...
@anshelsag Anshel Sag on x
Since @Snap didn't deem it necessary to pre-brief me, @LaurenGoode's article has a lot of very good background and details, namely that the new Snap Spectacles are powered by @Qualcomm's XR1 chipset. https://twitter.com/...
@digitaldeity Eric James on x
@martyswant You can seriously write that with Oculus/Facebook tearing it up with constant VR/AR advancements every month?
@thisismichaeld Michael DiBenigno on x
The @Snapchat approach in building the mobile AR ecosystem of users and creators first and incrementally moving into headsets is exactly the right strategy. Can't wait to help bring data storytelling into the conversation! https://twitter.com/...
@msolis488 Mark Solis on x
@Dilmerv @Snapchat To me it feels like buying a Quest 2, but with the limitation that you can only use Facebook/Instagram/Messenger. No web browsing, no utility beyond games.
@larryrosenthal Larry Rosenthal on x
they are a great “product jump"| project from the insanity of the hololens or magic leap delusions of mass devices of that size or price. BUT like 3d printers, which now cost 200 bucks. the ROI is so far not there. and the ROE is specific to cyberpunk 20/20 vision 18-24 crowd.
@petapixel @petapixel on x
Snap has officially announced its next-generation augmented reality (AR) Spectacles with new camera tech, a unique design, and numerous high-profile partnerships. They sound incredibly ambitous, but they won't ever be for sale. https://petapixel.com/...
@luoshengpeng Luosheng Peng on x
The latest Snap Spectacles look cool. Like to get one! Whose AR tech it uses? https://www.theverge.com/...
@arainert @arainert on x
New Snap glasses have a bit of a Tesla-Cybertruck-for-your-face vibe and I'm not yet sure how I feel about it. https://twitter.com/...
@dburgar Dan Burgar VR on x
Snap has been very ambitious and aggressive with their AR/3D strategy and today they have announced their first real pair of AR glasses - @verge @alexeheath https://www.theverge.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@adamdraper AdamDraper.crypto on x
This product has come such a long way. I met the founder of Vergence Labs at a dinner and he pitched me on the future of computing platforms. Naturally I invested in something that got humanity closer to an Iron Man suit. Proud of what it's become post acquisition. https://twitte…
@waxpancake Andy Baio on x
i'll stick with my peril sensitive sunglasses, thanks https://twitter.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@tomemrich Tom Emrich on x
“Spiegel has said that AR glasses will take roughly a decade to reach mainstream adoption.” “I don't believe the phone is going away. I just think that the next generation of Spectacles can help unlock a new way to use AR hands-free.” https://www.theverge.com/...
@jacksettleman Jack Settleman on x
Snap keeps doubling down on the future as other platforms rip functions 😴 https://twitter.com/...
@larryrosenthal Larry Rosenthal on x
as i wrote on a linkedin thread a day ago. for XR to become the mass medium the software must demand you need the hardware. OR the hardware must already be yours to add functions too. ( the phone) Glasses are very different tools. these will be toys for 6 months. fin https://twit…
@ali_heston Alexandria Heston on x
Legitimate congratulations to everyone who made this possible: engineers, researchers, artists, designers, biz dev, marketing, etc. All of you deserve major props for such a pivotal a hardware release! https://twitter.com/...
@alexia Alexia Bonatsos on x
Snap built a fleshed-out AR experience before Apple did.
@martyswant Marty Swant on x
@digitaldeity Yep! I think Oculus has come a loooooong way and as a VR fan it's definitely exciting. However, it is still too removed from Facebook's social networks strategy so they are mostly different platforms versus Snap's integrated approach. (The point I was making was abo…
@scobleizer Scoble on x
Yes. https://twitter.com/...
@dannysullivan Danny Sullivan on x
In with the new and sadly, I guess, out with Spectacles 2. Those are no longer on sale, it seems. Now I wish I'd stocked up on a spare pair, because they've been wonderful. Don't need AR glasses. Do need and LOVE mine that let me take regular pictures while I'm running.... https:…
@tim Tim Bradshaw on x
Meanwhile in Cupertino... Here's Apple's latest AR patent application (*actual product may differ from illustration) https://appft1.uspto.gov/.... https://twitter.com/...
@charlesarthur Charles Arthur on x
Magic Leap: “er, hello?” https://twitter.com/...
@mattnavarra Matt Navarra on x
Snap unveils its futuristic-looking AR Spectacles But there's a BIG catch You can't buy them ...And the battery only lasts 30 minutes https://www.theverge.com/...
@sarafischer Sara Fischer on x
Here's a summary of all of @Snapchat's announcements today, in less than 500 words. But if you don't have 2 minutes, here's a 5-second summary: Snapchat shows Apple, Facebook who's boss when it comes to AR. https://www.axios.com/...
@dcseifert Dan Seifert on x
now you can look like you're sitting in a 3D movie theater wherever you go https://www.theverge.com/...
@cityofthetown Tom Dotan on x
congrats to snap engineers/designers/marketers on their years long effort to create a device that will ensure the dude from the capri sun commercials gets his ass kicked https://twitter.com/...
@sarafischer Sara Fischer on x
👓 Next generation of Spectacles introduced by @Snapchat today. — 4 built in mics — 2 stereo speakers — Built in touchpad controls All. About. AR. https://twitter.com/...
@stshank Stephen Shankland on x
Surprise! Still not clear to me if these ever overcome social worries of AR glasses. Lots of sci-fi has people wearing these, or contacts, or direct neural link to vision system. But humans don't do well if we're always on stage, being recorded, our privacy in others' hands. http…
@kerrymflynn @kerrymflynn on x
Snap's new Spectacles (AR glasses) aren't for sale but are available to creators So I guess the time has come for my career pivot from a writer / reporter to an AR creator https://twitter.com/...
@reckless Nilay Patel on x
My man's first Verge story before he even has a Slack login https://twitter.com/...
@caseynewton Casey Newton on x
Snap says they are not selling these and will only be giving them to AR creators 😤
@mgsiegler M.G. Siegler on x
Presentation-wise though they're far better than FB ever was at this. It's more like FB initiatives + Apple polish. It's impressive. #SnapPartnerSummit
@liahaberman Lia Haberman on x
Snapchat Spotlight's $1M a day payout ends June 1 - in its place: • Creator “Gifting” • Story Studio app for content creation • Creator Marketplace https://www.cnn.com/...
@carnage4life Dare Obasanjo on x
Truly inspiring to see the work happening at Snapchat to improve the experience of filters & lenses for dark skinned people. Twitter & Snapchat really showing the product impact that occurs when your company has more diverse product teams. https://twitter.com/...
@sameer_singh17 Sameer Singh on x
Snap successfully bootstrapped Spotlight, despite TikTok being huge. Network effects don't create as much defensibility when the goal is to scale content irrespective of identity. https://twitter.com/...
@mattnavarra Matt Navarra on x
Snapchat is dialing back its $1 million a day incentive for Spotlight users 5,400 creators collectively earned more than $130 million since the incentive launched last November. https://cnn.com/...
@joshconstine Josh Constine on x
Facebook could learn a lesson here. Creator monetization doesn't have to be immediately sustainable. Jumpstart the flywheel. https://twitter.com/...
@chrismessina @chrismessina on x
Snapchat is rolling out gifting. #NewSnapchat #SocialTipping #CreatorEconomy #SnapPartnerSummit https://twitter.com/...
@kerrymflynn @kerrymflynn on x
Time for Snapchat's creator news: More 5,400 creators collectively earned $130 million through Spotlight's incentive program But Snapchat giving away $1 million per day is coming to an end June 1 So what happens now? My write: https://www.cnn.com/...
@turnernovak @turnernovak on x
2.5 years ago Snap's valuation briefly dipped below $5 billion. Some critics legitimately thought they may go bankrupt. Now, we're seeing that they've laid the groundwork for the next computing platform and a built friend graph powering a decentralized metaverse on top of it.
@richlightshed Rich Greenfield on x
Snapchat DAU/MAU ratio not that far behind industry leader Facebook $SNAP $FB #SnapPartnerSummit https://twitter.com/...
@richlightshed Rich Greenfield on x
Updated DAU/MAU for all Facebook products vs Snapchat Facebook still way ahead if u add in Instagram and Whatsapp $SNAP $FB https://twitter.com/...
@kerrymflynn @kerrymflynn on x
Snapchat stats: - 500 million MAUs - Nearly 1 of 2 US smartphone users is on Snapchat - People open Snapchat 30x daily on average - ~40% of Snapchat users are located outside of North America and Europe - In India, Snapchat's DAUs has grown >100% yoy in each of last 5 quarters

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