I may be an expert on phones and tablets, but there are plenty of other exciting tech products out there that I’ve never tried.
One that has intrigued me for a long time is AR glasses, which use augmented reality to project a virtual image onto the real world. They can be useful in various scenarios including gaming, education, and navigation.
This is not a new category, but one that has always intimidated me a little. I always imagined there would be a very steep learning curve to get the most out of it.
So when I had the opportunity to try out the fifth generation of Snap Spectacles at Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit, I jumped at the chance. The company behind Snapchat has been making AR glasses since 2016, but this latest version is the most advanced yet.
The Spectacles have two Snapdragon processors onboard, meaning everything is processed on the glasses themselves. This makes them look a little big, but they are still very comfortable to wear and weigh only 226g.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
I was always afraid of embarrassing myself while using it, but luckily I didn’t need to worry. After a quick IPD (interpupillary distance) calculation, the in-device tutorial makes it easy to get started with AR, using simple pinches and taps to navigate.
Combined with Snap OS’s intuitive user interface, it makes Spectacles surprisingly simple to use, using your hands or voice. This includes launching and closing apps, which I’ve done several times while trying them.
The first thing I was able to try was a simple nature game, which added beautiful leaves and flowers to the room around me. It was a lovely and peaceful introduction to Snap Spectacles.
Then there was a game of beatboxing, where you punch the air in front of you in time with the beat. I was impressed with how responsive the game was and it was a fun way to pass the time.
On VR headsets, boxing carries a very real risk of harming someone else or yourself. But when you’re wearing the Snap Spectacles, you can still see your surroundings, so that’s not a problem.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The final stage was a painting game, which really showed off Snap’s emphasis on collaboration. This allowed me to use my fingers to add 3D paintings all around the room and then admire the other person’s creations in the same environment. If you already have
But my 15 minutes with the Snap Spectacles barely scratched the surface of what they could do. Along with a range of games, Snap OS also includes key educational and navigation tools, as well as navigation. Snap wants to make it as easy as possible for developers to create apps for the platform, so it should improve over time.
Unlike some AR and VR products, Spectacles have a strong focus on collaboration. They’re also designed to be used outdoors, making them feel more like a part of your actual surroundings rather than being totally separate.
Unfortunately, Snap Spectacles are not currently a realistic option for consumers. Anyone can join the Spectacles Developer Program and access the Lens Studio companion app, but it costs $99 per month plus tax and you must commit to at least 12 months.
Still, they provide a great entry point into the world of AR glasses for anyone who hasn’t tried them before. For the first time, I see that it is a product that could fit into my daily life.
