Snap Specs AR Glasses Launch With New Mixed Reality Features for Developers

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Snap has apparently launched a new line of Specs augmented reality glasses with upgraded mixed reality tools for developers. It appears to be a device meant to help creators create interactive experiences that blend digital objects with the user’s physical world.

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The reported launch of Snap Specs AR glasses could enhance Snap’s position in spatial computing as technology companies compete to build lighter, more functional wearable devices. Unlike typical smart glasses that focus on camera or audio, the new Specs are expected to deliver immersive visual effects, hand interaction and location-aware applications.

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The main focus is on Mixed Reality

The new Specs are said to place mixed reality front and centre in the experience.

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Developers could create digital objects that are pinned to surfaces in the real world, respond to movement and interact with the environment. It could power games, learning tools, navigation experiences, art installations and collaborative applications.

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Maintaining stability of the virtual content as the user moves will require accurate tracking.

Developer Tools for New Creation

Snap is expected to tie the glasses closely to its Lens Studio development platform.

Creators could design AR lenses with familiar tools, test interactions and publish experiences for supported hardware. The new software features could include spatial mapping, object recognition, gesture controls, and improved scene understanding.

A strong development platform could help Snap bring in creators before the glasses are widely available to consumers.

Hand Tracking Might Be Better Than Traditional Controls

The glasses could let users control applications by hand movements and gestures.

Users could point and pinch to select menus, move virtual objects, or trigger functions instead of using a phone or handheld controller. Voice commands may be an alternative way to interact with the system.

If the hand tracking was good enough that would make the glasses feel more natural but that’s dependent upon lighting and environment.

More Immersion, Wider Field of View

One of the biggest limitations of early AR glasses has been a limited field of view.

The new Specs may project digital content over a larger portion of your field of view, making you feel more immersed. Better brightness and clarity of images could also help make it easier to see virtual objects outdoors or in brightly lit rooms.

But improvements in display can add to the use of battery, heat and weight of the device, he said.

Privacy concerns raised by cameras and sensors

Mixed reality glasses require cameras and sensors to understand the environment.

Snap will need to explicitly signal when either recording or spatial scanning is taking place. Developers also should be subject to strict rules around facial recognition, location data, bystander privacy and cloud processing.

Visible privacy signals will be especially important if the glasses are to be used in public spaces.

Long Battery Life: A Big Challenge

Small AR glasses have to make a trade-off between processing power and weight and operating time.

Advanced displays, high quality cameras, wireless connections and real time tracking can eat up batteries. You may need to use an external battery pack for Snap or charge it often during your development sessions.

The glasses will need to be independently tested to see if they can cope with prolonged use without overheating or causing discomfort.

Developer-First Strategy – A Risk Mitigation Option

Snap may at first choose to launch the new Specs to approved developers rather than to the general consumer market.

It would allow the company to gather feedback, improve the software and build a library of experiences before contemplating a wider launch. It could also take the pressure off to immediately turn out a gleaming consumer product.

Developer access may be restricted based on the app, subscription or region.

Sources