I wore Snap’s $2,200 smart glasses

Key Points:

• Snap is preparing to launch its first consumer augmented reality glasses, the Specs, this fall at a price of $2,195, marking a significant step after years of development and limited developer releases.
• The Specs feature standalone AR capabilities with waveguide displays in both lenses, hand-tracking controls, and an AI chatbot assistant, aiming to deliver immersive shared digital experiences like playing virtual dominoes.
• Despite innovative features, the glasses are bulky, have a limited 51-degree field of view, and the AR visuals can be difficult to see in bright light, which may hinder seamless interaction and immersion.
• The device’s privacy indicator light is prominently placed to address concerns about covert recording, but social discomfort remains an issue as users can become distracted by digital content while interacting with others.
• While Snap leads in shipping true AR glasses, competition is intensifying with Meta, Google, OpenAI, and Apple all developing similar technologies, suggesting the Specs will be a key early test of AR glasses’ viability for mainstream use.