I might be an expert in phones and tablets, but there are plenty of other exciting tech products that I’ve never tried.
One that’s intrigued me for a long time is AR glasses, which use augmented reality to project a virtual image over the real world. They can be useful in a variety of scenarios, including gaming, education and navigation.
It’s not a new category, but one that I’ve always been a little intimidated by. I’ve always imagined there to be such a steep learning curve to get the most out of them.
So, when I had the opportunity to try 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 its most advanced yet.
The Spectacles have two Snapdragon processors built in, meaning everything is processed on the glasses themselves. It makes them look a bit chunky, but they still feel very comfortable to wear, and only weigh 226g.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
I was still concerned about embarrassing myself while using it, but luckily I didn’t need to worry. After a quick IPD (interpupillary distance) calculation, the on-device tutorial makes it easy to get to grips with AR, using simple pinches and taps to navigate.
Combined with the intuitive Snap OS user interface, it makes the Spectacles surprisingly simple to use, using either your hands or voice. That includes launching and closing apps, which I did a few times while trying them out.
The first thing I got to try was a simple nature game, which added beautiful leaves and flowers to the room around me. It was a lovely, peaceful introduction to the Snap Spectacles.
Then there was a beatboxing game, where you punch the air in front of you in time to the beat. I was impressed with the game’s responsiveness, and it was a fun way to pass the time.
On VR headsets, boxing comes with a very real risk of hurting someone else or yourself. But while wearing the Snap Spectacles, you can still see your surroundings, so it’s not a problem.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Last up was a painting game, which really showed off Snap’s focus on collaboration. It allowed me to use my fingers to add 3D paintings all around the room, then admire the other person’s creations within the same environment. If you already
But my 15 minutes with the Snap Spectacles barely scratched the surface of what they could do. Alongside a range of games, Snap OS also includes key educational and navigational tools, plus navigation. Snap wants to make it as easy as possible for developers to create apps for the platform, so it should get better over time.
Unlike some AR and VR products, the Spectacles are heavily focused on collaboration. They’re also designed to be used outside, making them feel more like a part of your real environment rather than totally separate.
Unfortunately, the Snap Spectacles aren’t a realistic option for consumers right now. Anyone can join the Spectacles Developer Program and access the Lens Studio companion app, but it costs $99 per month plus tax, and you have to commit to at least 12 months.
Nonetheless, they offer an excellent entry point to the world of AR glasses for anyone who hasn’t tried them before. For the first time, I can see it being a product that could integrate into my daily life.
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