Snap Inc. announced its fifth-generation Spectacles augmented reality (AR) glasses, shifting focus to developer engagement rather than consumer sales. 

At Snap Partner Summit 2024, the company unveiled a new strategy to distribute these devices through a rental program. Developers will be charged $99 monthly for a minimum one-year commitment.

The latest Spectacles boast improved hardware specifications, including a wider 46-degree field of view, up from 26.3 degrees in the previous model. Snap claims the waveguide displays offer 37 pixels per degree, representing a 25% increase in display quality. The glasses feature auto-tinting lenses for outdoor use and weigh 226 grams.

“Our goal is to empower and inspire the developer and AR enthusiast communities,” Snap CEO Evan Spiegel told The Verge. “This is an invitation, hopefully an inspiration, to create.” The company aims to build a robust developer ecosystem around its AR platform.

The new Spectacles incorporate two custom Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, distributing power and heat along the frames. A vapor chamber in each temple aids heat management, addressing overheating issues reported in previous models. 

Battery life has been improved from 30 to 45 minutes on a single charge, with the option for continuous power via a USB-C connection.

Snap has redesigned the operating system powering the glasses, resulting in a more polished interface. Navigation primarily relies on hand tracking and voice control. The hardware includes two infrared sensors for gesture recognition and two liquid crystal and silicon-based projectors on each side of the frame.

While Snap demonstrated some AR applications, such as displaying 3D flowers and anatomy models, the company left most potential use cases to developers. Integration with Snapchat appears to be limited in the current iteration.

Spiegel acknowledged that Spectacles is not expected to become a significant business until the end of the decade. The company hasn’t disclosed production numbers for this version, but The Verge’s sources estimate around 10,000 units.

AR: The New Battleground

The competition in the AR space is intensifying, with companies like Meta, Apple, and Google developing their AR devices.  

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg plans to debut the company’s first AR glasses, codenamed Orion, at the Connect conference in Menlo Park on September 25. 

Meta’s recent partnership with EssilorLuxottica, the maker of Ray-Ban glasses, has given it an edge in producing consumer-friendly digital eyewear. The company reported that demand for its Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses exceeded production capacity, potentially paving the way for future AR product distribution.

However, Meta recently announced it will shut down its Meta Spark platform for third-party AR tools and content on January 14, 2025. This will mark the end of a seven-year journey for Meta’s AR creator community.

While Meta and Snap have been investing in AR for years, they now face increased competition from Apple, which recently announced its VisionPro mixed reality headset.

Nevertheless, Snap positions itself as the leader in the AR race. Spiegel pointed it out for The Verge: “Sorry, so who of those have AR glasses?”

Snap’s strategy aligns with Spiegel’s view of AR glasses as a nascent technology with potential similar to early desktop computers and smartphones. He believes that “visionary technologists” will be excited about shaping the future of AR through the Spectacles platform.