Snapchat creator Snap at the moment launched Snap OS 2.0, the XR working system powering its fifth and upcoming sixth gen Spectacles AR glasses, that are anticipated to launch subsequent 12 months.
Snap’s sixth gen Spectacles (aka ‘Specs’) wish to enchantment to shoppers, which is an organization first. And so they’re ostensibly set to frontrun its largest opponents by launching subsequent 12 months.
Apart from being lighter and smaller than the 2024-era glasses, that’s primarily all we all know in regards to the subsequent model of Specs, as the corporate is holding the lid on value, launch date, and even specs of its first pair of client AR glasses.
With at the moment’s launch of Snap OS 2.0 although, it’s clear the corporate is making method for the patron launch of its subsequent Specs, packing in an overhauled net browser, extra intuitive UI for viewing content material in AR, in addition to porting the favored XR rhythm recreation Synth Riders (2018).
Right here’s a breakdown of all the pieces Snap introduced:
Browser — We’ve overhauled the Spectacles Browser with a brand new, minimalist design to make it sooner and extra highly effective. We’ve additionally optimized it for faster web page loading and higher energy effectivity.
Highlight – With the devoted Highlight Lens, we’ve created a phone-free, larger-than-life expertise that spatially overlays your favourite content material onto the true world.
Gallery – The Gallery Lens gives a spacious, interactive solution to view your Spectacles movies. You may scroll via a carousel of your captures, zoom in for extra element, arrange your favorites, and simply ship them to associates or publish to Snapchat.
Synth Riders – Gamers will be capable to catch notes, trip the rails, and dodge obstacles by transferring to the music, all whereas staying grounded in the true world and with the true folks round you.
Notably, earlier this summer time the corporate additionally added real-time textual content translation for issues like indicators and menus, speech translation for 40 languages, and an AI-powered ‘Spatial Suggestions’ operate, which helps you to ask Specs’ AI in regards to the world round you.
Whereas the standalone AR glasses (2024) are admittedly cumbersome, they’ve given Snap one thing of a primary mover benefit amongst its bigger opponents, reminiscent of Meta, Google, Apple, Samsung—all of that are presently engaged on AR glasses.
Whereas we’re nonetheless ready to see the corporate’s subsequent gen AR glasses for shoppers, these latest OS updates level to a tool that Snap hopes we’ll use in on a regular basis life, like in eating places, on the seashore, in public transport, and never simply in a static workplace or lounge.
Within the meantime, builders have been in a position to create Lenses (principally AR mini-apps) built-in with Google Gemini or OpenAI’s ChatGPT since June 2025, along with porting smartphone-based Snapchat Lenses to Specs utilizing Lens Studio API.
And, in line with Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, Specs are set to be an integral a part of the corporate’s future, with Spiegel noting in an open letter final week that Snap is heading right into a make-or-break “crucible second” subsequent 12 months.
Past rising income via advertisements and direct income streams by way of its Snapchat smartphone app, Spiegel sees its AR glasses and AI integration enjoying a big position within the firm’s efficiency.
Spiegel calls Specs are “an infinite enterprise alternative,” noting the AR machine cannot solely substitute a number of bodily screens, however the working system itself shall be “customized with context and reminiscence,” which he says will compound in worth over time.
“This second isn’t nearly survival. It’s about proving {that a} totally different method of constructing expertise, one which deepens friendships and evokes creativity, can reach a world that always rewards the alternative,” Spiegel says.
In the meantime, a few of Snap’s largest opponents are transferring at a extra iterative tempo, first releasing good glasses like Ray-Ban Meta and Google’s forthcoming Android XR glasses, as an alternative of launching full-AR glasses first. Each Samsung and Apple are rumored to be exploring good glasses along with their work on AR glasses.
Wish to know extra about good glasses and AR glasses? Try our helpful primer on the important thing variations right here.
