Chips & Hardware
Snap creates dedicated subsidiary for upcoming AR hardware
Snap has launched a new subsidiary, Specs Inc., to focus on its AR glasses, which are expected to see a new consumer version launch later this year.
On Tuesday, Snap announced the launch of a new subsidiary, Specs Inc., to focus on developing AR glasses. The parent company stated the reorganization is intended to allow for “greater operational focus and alignment” as it continues to iterate on its product. While the restructuring marks a new corporate phase, Snap has been developing AR hardware for over a decade. The company last launched a consumer version of its glasses in 2019. Since 2024, the latest fifth-generation version of the hardware has been a developer-only product, allowing Snap to populate the wearable with programs ahead of a public launch.
The current developer version of the hardware weighs nearly 8 ounces and features four cameras. These cameras power the Snap Spatial Engine, the software component that projects AR imagery, and enable hand tracking. Russell Patton, the product manager for Specs, noted that “the spatial nature” of the device allows for user experiences that are not possible with a phone. The glasses run on Snap OS, the proprietary software running the hardware, which released its latest version last September. This software includes features such as “travel mode” for translating foreign street signs and menus, as well as “spatial tips,” an AI-powered feature that provides information about objects in view. The headsets also have the ability to synchronize with one another, allowing two people wearing different sets of glasses to see the same thing in the same physical space for collaborative gaming.
Snap is expected to launch the latest consumer version of its AR glasses later this year, though the physical makeup of the hardware is expected to change before the public launch. The upcoming release will place Snap in competition with rivals like Meta, which has experienced growing demand in the U.S. for its smart glasses. Meta has established partnerships with EssilorLuxottica, the eyewear giant that owns the Ray-Ban and Oakley brands. By establishing Specs Inc., Snap aims to increase its operational focus as it prepares to enter this competitive market.
Why it matters
The formation of Specs Inc. signals Snap’s intent to increase operational focus on its AR hardware as it prepares to launch a new consumer version of its glasses later this year.