Snap’s first consumer AR glasses are coming this fall for $2,195

Snap launched its first consumer augmented reality glasses, named Specs, for $2,195. Preorders are available with a $200 refundable deposit, and shipments are expected to begin this fall in the US and UK. Snap describes Specs as a "wearable computer built into see-through augmented reality glasses." The device features a dual-lens camera system, dual microphones, and dual speakers, powered by Snap's own Spectacles OS. It connects wirelessly to a smartphone via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, offering a 6-hour battery life with the included charging case, which can provide an additional 24 hours of use. Specs are designed to overlay digital information onto the user's view of the real world, enabling hands-free interaction with augmented reality applications. The company aims to integrate AI capabilities into the glasses, allowing users to interact with their environment through voice commands and visual recognition. Snap's previous AR glasses, introduced in 2016 as 'Spectacles,' were primarily camera-equipped eyewear, but Specs represent a significant advancement into true augmented reality hardware for consumers.