Snap has launched SPECS, a pair of augmented reality (AR) smart glasses with screens built into both lenses to offer a stereoscopic view. Waveguide technology is used to display content directly onto the lenses in both eyes with a 51-degree viewing angle. According to Snap, SPECS can display a screen up to 115″ virtually.
This gives it an advantage over the Meta Ray-Ban Display which only has a single screen built into the right eye lens. Another advantage of SPECS is that it is designed to easily support prescription lenses for nearsighted users. Two sizes are offered, 47 mm weighing 132g and 52 mm weighing 136g.
The SPECS screen can display 16 million colors and can also be dimmed (for dark glasses mode) that changes color in 10 seconds. Boeing 787 window technology is used to enable this feature on SPECS.
It can be used to display virtually floating navigation information, help with tasks in the workplace like HoloLens and is also used for gaming. The connection pin on the left stem allows SPECS to connect to devices, computers or consoles to act as a secondary screen.
There is a camera for recording photos and videos. The light on the glasses will turn on when recording is being done for privacy purposes. However, the battery only lasts up to 4 hours and increases to 20 hours with the help of the charging pod and storage case of SPECS.
SPECS is equipped with two Snapdragon chips of which the type was not disclosed. Most likely the Snapdragon Reality Elite chip that was just announced this morning. Two chips are used because one is for controlling the AR system while the other is for running the AI system.
The SPECS Snap is now available for pre-order for $2,195 (~RM 8931) with it going on sale in the United States, United Kingdom, and France next fall.
