Snap Inc. has released fifth generation Spectacles and Snap OS, which it describes as the ‘next frontier of AR glasses’.
The latest generation of Spectacles are see-through, standalone augmented reality glasses that can use Lenses to experience the physical world with a digital overlay.
Spectacles are powered by Snap OS, the social media application’s newest operating system, which has been designed to ‘bring Spectacles to life’ through its intuitive interface and features that enhance daily life for users.
Snap is entering the AR glasses showdown against the likes of Apple and HTC VIVE and many more as growth in the industry is predicted to take off over the coming years. It is also unlikely to be coincidence that we are just around the corner from Meta Connect 2024, recently at the centre of discussion on XR Today.
Goetz Trillhaas, Managing Director bei Snap Inc, took to LinkedIn to share his thoughts on the new AR technology: “Introducing Snap OS, our groundbreaking operating system powering the fifth-Gen Spectacles – see-through standalone AR glasses that seamlessly augment reality and let you experience the world in totally new ways.
“Snap OS is designed to enhance natural interactions with the environment using intuitive hand and voice controls. And you can even experience it together with your friends.
“This isn’t just about cool tech; it’s about making AR accessible and immersive.
Trillhaas continued: “Personally, I believe developing an operating system is crucial for leadership in any field.
“It’s about setting the standard and crafting an easy-to-use interface that makes technology accessible to everyone.”
Fifth-Generation Spectacles
Spectacles seamlessly connect with your mobile and the Spectacles app allows you to use your phone as a game controller for Lenses, launch Spectator Mode, mirror you phone screen, and more.
They technology within the AR glasses weigh less than half of the usual VR headset at just 226 grams.
Spectacles have four cameras linked to the Snap Spatial Engine that enables hand tracking.
Its Optical Engine has been created from scratch and leverages Snap’s proprietary technology to run the see-through display. It provides a 46-degree diagonal field of view with a 37 pixel-per-degree resolution.
The AR glasses also include Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS) micro-projectors, which combine with waveguides to display high-quality images.
Snap’s dual system-on-a-chip architecture, Snapdragon processors from Qualcomm, power the glasses, which are capable of running for 45 minutes of continuous standalone runtime.
‘Groundbreaking’ Snap OS
Users can interact with Snap OS using their hands and voice, with the main menu always at your fingertips.
The Snap Spatial Engine is capable of reading the world around you so that Lenses can effectively map onto your surroundings, achieving a more realistic experience.
With 13 millisecond motion-to-photon latency, Lenses are rendered with ‘incredible’ accuracy, further enhancing the natural appearance of the AR experience.
Lenses have been created to be shared, with Snap OS simplifying the process for developers to build experiences that can be enjoyed with family and friends.
In August, the Verge provided a heads up that Snapchat was looking to revamp its Spectacles product with a consumer-level AR smart glasses experience.
XR Today’s Rebekah Carter recently explored the latest Snap AI tools for AR content creation.
