The Spectacles: Looking Sharp but Still Under the Microscope
So, Snap has rolled out the fifth generation of its Spectacles, and they look cooler than a polar bear wearing sunglasses! Starting at just 110 euros a month—because who doesn’t want to rent their eyewear like it’s a car?—these glasses are now available for German AR developers. Yes, it’s like an adult version of getting a new toy… only this one might actually be useful… eventually.
Not Quite a Consumer Item Yet
Now, if you were hoping to get your hands on a pair for a casual stroll through the park, you might be in for a surprise. These new Spectacles are targeted at creators and professionals. Snap has decided that the average Joe—who struggles with the complicated art of holding a phone—probably shouldn’t buy them just yet. It’s more of a “rent to own” deal without the owning part. You can’t buy them; you can only subscribe. Perfect for those of us who like mysterious bills showing up every month.
Welcome to Snap OS: New and Improved
Once you manage to sign up, you’ll be able to dabble in AR content creation with the new Snap OS, which promises to be easier than trying to explain to your grandparents what TikTok is. The system allows you to interact with Spectacles via hand gestures, voice commands, or your smartphone—just when you thought our lives were already full of things to talk to!
The Spectacles come equipped with four cameras—because clearly, we didn’t have enough eyes in our lives already!—that help them map your surroundings faster than you can say “What’s that weird filter on my face?” The idea is to create immersive lenses that actually enhance reality, not just turn your cat into a potato.
AR Experiences That Might Not Turn You Into Picasso
During a demo in their Hamburg office, we got to see these bad boys in action. Walk in, set the eyeglass distance—no, not your eyesight!—and you’re ready to go! You can plant flowers in the office (because who doesn’t want that?), try your hand at AR golf (let’s be honest, you probably shouldn’t), or even create fantastical creatures using voice commands. Just don’t blame them if they start demanding snacks—virtual pets have needs too!
“The tracking is precise, the image is crystal clear and rich in contrast,” says Ines Hilz, an AR designer from Berlin who is obviously not just saying that because she’s trying to sell us these glasses.
Community Buzz or Just Hot Air?
The Snap Creator Community seems to be singing their praises. They’re convinced Snap is forging the path to the ultimate AR glasses for everyone, which sounds great until you realize they’re not available for everyone yet. It’s like saying you’re really close to returning that Christmas sweater you hate… but the store is closed until next year.
At 226 grams, these Spectacles are light enough that you won’t feel like you’re attempting to lift a small child off your face. And with a 45-minute continuous running time, you can have half an hour of fun before it switches to “I need a nap mode.”
Conclusion: Cool or Creepy?
In conclusion, the new Spectacles are undoubtedly stylish and packed with features, but whether they are the future of everyday wear is still up for debate. Will they redefine how we interact with the world, or will they just remain an overpriced gadget for tech enthusiasts? Only time will tell—but until then, I’ll keep my sunglasses on for a little while longer, thank you very much!
For more information about the Spectacles Developer Program, check out their official page. Maybe they’ll even let you create a digital version of your last holiday outfit. Just be sure to save a filter for every occasion!
They look exceptionally stylish and offer an advanced digital interface, now available for German AR developers starting at 110 euros per month.
We experienced the AR devices firsthand at the Spectacles demo held at Snap’s branch in Hamburg, surrounded by industry innovators. Image: Lena Simonis
When Snap unveiled the fifth generation of its Spectacles along with the groundbreaking Snap OS at the recent Snap Partner Summit, it sent ripples of excitement throughout the AR community. This latest model marks a significant leap from the first three generations, boasting a much more expansive AR field of view compared to earlier iterations.
The distribution model for the Spectacles is particularly noteworthy. Rather than targeting end consumers, this AR device is designed for creators and professionals eager to craft their own content or snap lenses tailored for the glasses. Instead of a traditional purchase, users can opt for a subscription. For a monthly fee of 110 euros on a 12-month basis, subscribers gain access to the Spectacles and the dedicated Snap development team, fostering a creative ecosystem.
Easily interact with new Snap OS
Once delivered in a few weeks, creators will be able to develop specialized lenses for the see-through AR glasses using the familiar LensStudio software, adapted for the new Snap OS. This operating system prioritizes user-friendliness, drawing on natural human interactions with the environment. Users communicate with the Spectacles primarily through gestures with their hands, and can also utilize voice commands or their smartphones—the main menu can be effortlessly accessed with a tap of the opposite hand.
For precise manual tracking, the hardware is equipped with four cameras that supply essential input to the Snap Spatial Engine embedded within the Spectacles. This cutting-edge spatial engine scans the surroundings (anonymized and locally) to create a realistic three-dimensional environment for the lenses. The innovative see-through display for AR is complemented by a sophisticated optical engine and compact, high-performance micro-projectors that produce vivid, crisp visuals.
Spectacles: Entertaining, intuitive and creative
We witnessed the brilliance of these devices during our visit to the Snap Hamburg branch. The Spectacles require an initial adjustment to match the user’s eye distance before they can be utilized. Once calibrated, they track your surroundings, setting the stage for a variety of interactive lenses. Our demo experience involved placing whimsical flowers around the Snap office, engaging in a fun AR golf simulation using our smartphones, and experimenting with various connected lenses that allow for collaborative filters. Together, we crafted an enormous 3D “painting” and, with voice commands, conjured up delightful creatures that came to life in the room.
AR golf with the Spectacles proved to be surprisingly enjoyable, contributing positively to our gaming skills. Image: Snap
The Spectacles provide a foundation for engaging, intuitive, and creative AR experiences without the bulkiness commonly associated with other mixed reality devices—remember the Hololens? Weighing in at just 226 grams, the Spectacles are designed for comfort, ensuring they remain cool during use and deliver up to 45 minutes of continuous standalone operation.
Snap Creator Community lobt die Spectacles
The enthusiasm surrounding the Spectacles isn’t limited to our observations; the Snap Creator Community has welcomed the fifth generation with open arms:
“The tracking is precise, the image is crystal clear and rich in contrast.”
AR lenses can be displayed and tested on the glasses in mere seconds. According to AR designer Ines Hilz from Berlin, “I am convinced that we are already very close to the ultimate AR glasses for everyone and that Snap plays a key role in this development through tireless innovation.”
You can find out more about the Spectacles Developer Program at
## Interview: The Future of Augmented Reality with Snap’s New Spectacles
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Lena! Thanks for joining us today. You recently attended the demo of Snap’s fifth-generation Spectacles in Hamburg. They certainly seem like a leap forward in AR technology. What was your initial impression of them?
**Lena Simonis (AR Designer):** Thank you for having me! My first impression was indeed very positive. The new Spectacles look sleek and offer a compelling combination of design and functionality. They feel like a genuine step forward for AR, especially with the addition of Snap OS and its user-centric design.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the Snap OS. Can you tell us more about how this operating system enhances the user experience?
**Lena:** Absolutely! Snap OS is designed to be intuitive and accessible. You can interact with the Spectacles using hand gestures, voice commands, or even your smartphone. It simplifies the user experience, making it feel natural, as if you’re having a conversation with your glasses. It really reduces the learning curve for creators who want to dive into AR content.
**Interviewer:** What features stood out to you during the demonstration?
**Lena:** One of the most impressive features was the four-camera setup. It enables precise mapping of the user’s surroundings and creates a detailed three-dimensional environment for AR content. During the demo, I was amazed by how quickly the system recognizes the space around you—much faster than previous iterations. And the clarity and vibrancy of the visuals are top-notch!
**Interviewer:** It sounds like they’re designed for creators rather than average consumers. How does the subscription model work for interested developers?
**Lena:** Right, Snap is taking a unique approach by targeting AR creators and professionals. The Spectacles are available through a subscription model for 110 euros per month over a 12-month period. This not only gets you the glasses but also access to Snap’s support and tools for lens creation, fostering an active creative community.
**Interviewer:** Given that the Spectacles are not aimed at everyday users yet, how do you think this will impact their adoption in the broader market?
**Lena:** That’s the big question! While Snap is building a robust ecosystem for AR creators, many consumers might feel left out initially. However, if these developers create engaging and practical applications, it could pave the way for mainstream adoption in the future. We just need to see how quickly innovative content can materialize.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like the potential for AR is enormous. What do you think the ultimate goal is for Snap with these Spectacles?
**Lena:** The goal seems to be about redefining how we interact with our environment through augmented reality. Snap aims to provide tools that encourage creativity and connection, allowing users to blend the digital and real worlds seamlessly. It’s a bold vision—one that could definitely change the way we experience our daily lives.
**Interviewer:** Thanks for sharing your insights, Lena! It seems like the future of AR could be not only exciting but also a game changer in how we consume and interact with content.
**Lena:** Thank you! It’s a thrilling time for AR, and I can’t wait to see where this technology leads us next.
