Snap has officially unveiled SPECS: standalone AR glasses with powerful hardware and privacy protection.
Snap Inc. has officially announced SPECS — a portable computer in the form factor of augmented reality glasses. The device is already available for pre-order at a price of $2,195, with shipments to the US, UK, and France starting this fall.
The main feature of SPECS is full autonomy. The glasses operate without connecting to a smartphone or external modules. The device weighs between 132 and 136 grams, and the body is made of high-strength TR90 polymer. This makes SPECS one of the lightest and most comfortable AR glasses on the market.
Technical Specifications
The device is equipped with two Snapdragon processors, ensuring high performance. The field of view is 51 degrees, and the signal latency is only 7 milliseconds. The battery provides up to 4 hours of autonomous operation, and with the charging case, up to 20 hours.
The lenses of the glasses feature an electrochromic coating that automatically adjusts the tint level within 10 seconds depending on lighting conditions. This allows comfortable use of the device both indoors and outdoors.
SPECS run on their own operating system, Snap OS, which supports gesture and voice control. Users have access to navigation functions, work tools, and educational applications. Developers have received an updated version of Lens Studio for creating AR effects, and AI assistants capable of analyzing the surrounding environment in real time are integrated into the system.
Focus on Privacy
Snap has paid special attention to data protection. The glasses are equipped with an LED indicator that lights up during video recording. Most data is processed directly on the device without being sent to the cloud. Users can independently manage their sync history and delete recordings.
This move seems particularly timely against the backdrop of the recent scandal with Meta, which was forced to remove the facial recognition feature from its smart glasses after a WIRED investigation. Snap, on the other hand, is betting on transparency and user control.
My analysis: SPECS are not just another AR glasses, but a serious bid by Snap for leadership in the wearable computer segment. Autonomy, lightness, and an emphasis on privacy make them attractive to both developers and ordinary users. However, the price of $2,195 may deter mass consumers. Given the growing competition from Meta and Apple, the success of SPECS will depend on the quality of the ecosystem and the availability of content.