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Snap to Unveil New AR Spectacles with Enhanced Features at September Summit

Marco Huels
October 29, 2024
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What's happening:
Snap is reportedly gearing up to unveil a new pair of augmented reality (AR) Spectacles, according to The Verge. These will mark the fifth generation of Spectacles and the second to feature AR capabilities. CEO Evan Spiegel is expected to reveal them at Snap's Partner Summit on September 17.

Why it matters:
Snap's previous AR glasses, launched in 2021, were exclusive to a small group of creators and developers. Despite their innovative use of Snapchat’s lenses, the glasses had limitations, including a narrow field of view and a short 30-minute battery life. They were also bulkier than previous models, making them less user-friendly.

What’s new:
The latest version reportedly features a wider field of view and improved battery life. However, these Spectacles are still geared toward developers rather than general consumers. Each pair is costly to produce—estimated in the thousands of dollars—and Snap plans to manufacture fewer than 10,000 units.

The big picture:
This move indicates that Snap remains committed to its hardware ambitions, despite past challenges, such as the short-lived Pixy selfie drone, which was recalled after a battery fire incident earlier this year.