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 yr, because it seeks to maximise its early momentum within the house, and turn out to be a key participant within the subsequent stage of AR utilization.
As defined by Snap:
“One yr 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 pc and real-time AI-powered experiences that invite individuals to work together naturally with the world utilizing their palms 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 affords our group a brand new interface and makes doable Lenses that can deliver utilities, like having fun with content material, searching, and staying in contact – to Spectacles.”
The up to date working system will facilitate a variety of improved use circumstances and presentation choices, which Snap’s hoping will assist to drive take-up of its coming AR system.
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 dwelling in Snap OS
- Added a brand new gallery expertise, so you possibly can simply scan by way of content material in your Snap gallery inside the glasses show
- Added a brand new devoted Highlight Lens, so you possibly can watch Snap’s short-form video feed overlaid in your view.
Snapchat’s additionally set to launch a brand new AR recreation, known as “Synth Riders,” which is able to allow customers to interact with a rhythm-based expertise inside the Spectacles show. Synth Riders is already obtainable 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 group of AR creators, including extra experiences to the preliminary Spectacles AR bundle.
Which, once more, is predicted to be coming to shoppers subsequent yr, as Snap appears to get a head begin on Apple and Meta with its AR wearables expertise.
Although that’s going to be a serious problem, not solely when it comes to logistics, and really launching a viable AR product, but additionally when it comes to constructing AR glasses that can be capable of compete with the newest high-tech devices from these two rather more well-resourced giants.
So far, 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 system is predicted to have extra energy, extra battery life, and a wider discipline of view than Snap’s glasses.
And in addition, Meta’s working onerous to make sure that its AR system will likely be cheaper, even with these advances.
Meta’s able to do that as a result of it has way more sources to throw on the undertaking, and like Apple, if Meta actually needs to win the AR race, it’s onerous to see how Snap can presumably sustain. However possibly, by way of first-mover benefit, Snap will be capable of use its reference to its viewers to realize sufficient early traction forward of Meta’s AR glasses launch (anticipated in 2027), and that could possibly be sufficient to spark curiosity, and maximize gross sales of the system.
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 thousands and thousands value of unsold stock.
I can see this taking place once more with AR Spectacles, and I feel it’s a mistake for Snap to be primarily betting the way forward for its firm on the product, given the market forces at play.
However Snapchat’s been constructing in direction of this for a decade, and as such, it appears unlikely to alter course at this late stage.
