Snapchat has introduced the following stage in its AR wearables push, with the launch of Snap OS 2, the newest model of its working system for its upcoming AR Spectacles.
Snap OS 2 will energy Snap’s AR glasses, that are set to hit the market subsequent 12 months, because it seeks to maximise its early momentum within the area, and grow to be a key participant within the subsequent stage of AR utilization.
As defined by Snap:
“One 12 months in the past, we launched our fifth-generation Spectacles and model new working system, Snap OS. Snap OS is the software program that brings Spectacles to life, enabling a brand new sort of laptop and real-time AI-powered experiences that invite folks to work together naturally with the world utilizing their arms and voice. As we sit up for the general public launch of Specs in 2026, we’re excited to introduce Snap OS 2.0. which each provides our neighborhood a brand new interface and makes potential Lenses that may convey utilities, like having fun with content material, shopping, and staying in contact – to Spectacles.”
The up to date working system will facilitate a variety of improved use instances and presentation choices, which Snap’s hoping will assist to drive take-up of its coming AR gadget.
Among the many key updates, Snapchat says that it has:
- Overhauled the Spectacles Browser to make it quicker, extra highly effective, and simpler to make use of. With a brand new minimalist design that feels proper at house in Snap OS
- Added a brand new gallery expertise, so you’ll be able to simply scan by content material in your Snap gallery throughout the glasses show
- Added a brand new devoted Highlight Lens, so you’ll be able to watch Snap’s short-form video feed overlaid in your view.
Snapchat’s additionally set to launch a brand new AR sport, referred to as “Synth Riders,” which is able to allow customers to have interaction with a rhythm-based expertise throughout the Spectacles show. Synth Riders is already accessible on varied VR surfaces, with this new model particularly aligned to the Snap AR expertise.
Snapchat’s additionally planning so as to add a heap extra Lens choices, created by its burgeoning neighborhood of AR creators, including extra experiences to the preliminary Spectacles AR package deal.
Which, once more, is predicted to be coming to shoppers subsequent 12 months, as Snap seems to be to get a head begin on Apple and Meta with its AR wearables expertise.
Although that’s going to be a significant problem, not solely when it comes to logistics, and truly launching a viable AR product, but in addition when it comes to constructing AR glasses that may be capable of compete with the newest high-tech devices from these two rather more well-resourced giants.
To this point, all indications are that Snapchat’s AR Spectacles will likely be far much less superior than Meta’s glasses, whereas Apple continues to construct the following stage of its Imaginative and prescient Professional product. Meta’s AR gadget is predicted to have extra energy, extra battery life, and a wider subject of view than Snap’s glasses.
And likewise, Meta’s working arduous to make sure that its AR gadget will likely be cheaper, even with these advances.
Meta’s ready to do that as a result of it has much more assets to throw on the venture, and like Apple, if Meta actually needs to win the AR race, it’s arduous to see how Snap can probably sustain. However possibly, by first-mover benefit, Snap will be capable of use its reference to its viewers to achieve sufficient early traction forward of Meta’s AR glasses launch (anticipated in 2027), and that may very well be sufficient to spark curiosity, and maximize gross sales of the gadget.
However I don’t know.
Snapchat’s preliminary Spectacles kicked off with a wave of hype, solely to die down shortly after, leaving Snapchat with hundreds of thousands value of unsold stock.
I can see this taking place once more with AR Spectacles, and I believe it’s a mistake for Snap to be basically betting the way forward for its firm on the product, given the market forces at play.
However Snapchat’s been constructing in the direction of this for a decade, and as such, it appears unlikely to alter course at this late stage.
