Audio and Visual Technology
Snap To Launch New Smart Glasses In 2026, More AR Features Amid McDonald’s Deal
Updated on Wed, Jun 11, 2025
Share
The smart glasses market is filling up with numerous developers, each bringing unique products and features to consumers worldwide.
This includes some of the biggest tech conglomerates entering the arena, including Google, Qualcomm, Amazon, and others. Even Apple is rumored to be diving in soon, with a launch for AI smart glasses slated for 2026. However, the most popular product in this sector is Meta with the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. Recently, Meta partnered with Anduril to bring the technology to the United States Army.
Interestingly, Meta isn’t the only social media giant that’s entering the hardware space—Snap has been operating in it for a while now.
Snap’s Spectacles is in its 5th generation—which was released in 2024.
Now, the company announced a new kind of smart glasses, one that saw Snap spend 11 years and over $3 billion to invent a new type of computer for augmented reality (AR).
Specs, as it’s called, is an “ultra-powerful wearable computer integrated into a lightweight pair of glasses with see-thru lenses” that’s “designed to enhance the physical world with digital experiences” and is scheduled to be released in 2026.
“Specs understand the world around you with advanced machine learning, bring AI assistance into three dimensional space, enable shared games and experiences with friends, and provide a flexible and powerful workstation for browsing, streaming, and more,” said Snap.
Snap’s smart glasses are popular with the masses.
Through the news release, the company also conveyed that developers around the world are building new experiences for Spectacles (Gen 5).
This includes apps such as Super Travel (from Gowaaa), which helps translate signs, menus, and receipts and convert currencies; Drum Kit (from Paradiddle), which assists aspiring drummers; Pool Assist (from Studio ANRK), which helps players make better shots in pool; Cookmate (from Headraft), which finds recipes based on available ingredients and provides guidance; Wisp World (from Liquid City), an exploration-based app.
Snap also spoke of major updates to Snap OS, which includes deep integrations with OpenAI and Gemini to allow developers to build multimodal AI-powered apps; Depth Module API to convert 2D information from LLMs into 3D environments; Automated Speech Recognition API to bring real-time transcription in over 40 languages; and Snap3D API to generate 3D objects.
Additionally, Snap is launching new tools specifically for developers building location-based experiences, enhancing experiences in museums, monuments, and more. This included the Fleet Management app to manage and monitor multiple pairs of Specs; Guided Mode to launch directly in single-player or multiplayer mode; and Guided Navigation to easily build AR-guided tours.
These experiences will be further enhanced through partnerships with Niantic Spatial VPS—to help build a shared, AI-powered map of the world—and WebXR—to build, test, and access WebXR experiences.
A few days prior to this reveal, Snap introduced the Lens Studio iOS app and web tool. Lens Studio provides developers with tools to build innovative AR experiences and has been in operation for over eight years, fostering a community of more than 400,000 AR creators, developers, and teams.
The new tools will make it easier for developers to create, publish, and enhance Snapchat Lenses, generate AI effects, add dancing Bitmojis, and more.
At the same time, the company clarified that Lens Studio (the desktop application) will remain the primary tool for professional developers and teams across Snapchat, partner mobile apps and websites, and Spectacles.
Snap also said it was looking to integrate new features such as Easy Lens, which allows developers to build Lenses in a matter of minutes. So far, this has been used to create over 10,000 Lenses since it entered early testing in mid-December 2024.
Speaking about the latest Lens Studio 5.10 release, Snap said it was introducing new Bitmoji Suite and new Games assets.
The new Bitmoji Suite brings new capabilities for personalizing and animating Bitmoji, including allowing developers to design custom outfits for Bitmoji, generate Bitmoji-stylized props, and animate Bitmoji using Snap’s library.
The new Games assets include a turn-based component to encourage back-and-forth play between friends, Character Controller, a modular and customizable movement system to support various gameplay formats, and updates to the Leaderboard.
“We’re excited about all of the ways to reward our community of AR creators and developers for their creativity. Starting on June 3rd, developers can register for a chance to win cash prizes for using Bitmoji Suite and Games assets with our Bitmojiverse Challenge,” said Snap about the new features and competition.
Ahead of this, Snap made two more key announcements, albeit unrelated to smart glasses.
Snap announced the availability of Snapchat now on Apple Watch, in a bid to make it “easier for Snapchatters to bring their conversations with them on the go.”
In a more recent reveal, Snap announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with McDonald’s (USA), which will see MyMcDonald’s Rewards members being offered a Snapchat+ subscription by exchanging points to redeem a one-month subscription. This deal will run from June 10 to July 7, but will be available for new subscribers only, while supplies last.
Essentially, when it comes to exceptional digital experiences, Snap is looking to pull out all the stops, including spending billions of dollars to develop smart glasses that offer a new kind of AR experience.
Do you think Snap’s new smart glasses can compete with Meta’s range of products as well as other players in the sector?
Let us know in the comments below!
This includes some of the biggest tech conglomerates entering the arena, including Google, Qualcomm, Amazon, and others. Even Apple is rumored to be diving in soon, with a launch for AI smart glasses slated for 2026. However, the most popular product in this sector is Meta with the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. Recently, Meta partnered with Anduril to bring the technology to the United States Army.
Interestingly, Meta isn’t the only social media giant that’s entering the hardware space—Snap has been operating in it for a while now.
Snap’s Spectacles is in its 5th generation—which was released in 2024.
Now, the company announced a new kind of smart glasses, one that saw Snap spend 11 years and over $3 billion to invent a new type of computer for augmented reality (AR).
Specs, as it’s called, is an “ultra-powerful wearable computer integrated into a lightweight pair of glasses with see-thru lenses” that’s “designed to enhance the physical world with digital experiences” and is scheduled to be released in 2026.
“Specs understand the world around you with advanced machine learning, bring AI assistance into three dimensional space, enable shared games and experiences with friends, and provide a flexible and powerful workstation for browsing, streaming, and more,” said Snap.
Snap’s smart glasses are popular with the masses.
Through the news release, the company also conveyed that developers around the world are building new experiences for Spectacles (Gen 5).
This includes apps such as Super Travel (from Gowaaa), which helps translate signs, menus, and receipts and convert currencies; Drum Kit (from Paradiddle), which assists aspiring drummers; Pool Assist (from Studio ANRK), which helps players make better shots in pool; Cookmate (from Headraft), which finds recipes based on available ingredients and provides guidance; Wisp World (from Liquid City), an exploration-based app.
Snap also spoke of major updates to Snap OS, which includes deep integrations with OpenAI and Gemini to allow developers to build multimodal AI-powered apps; Depth Module API to convert 2D information from LLMs into 3D environments; Automated Speech Recognition API to bring real-time transcription in over 40 languages; and Snap3D API to generate 3D objects.
Additionally, Snap is launching new tools specifically for developers building location-based experiences, enhancing experiences in museums, monuments, and more. This included the Fleet Management app to manage and monitor multiple pairs of Specs; Guided Mode to launch directly in single-player or multiplayer mode; and Guided Navigation to easily build AR-guided tours.
These experiences will be further enhanced through partnerships with Niantic Spatial VPS—to help build a shared, AI-powered map of the world—and WebXR—to build, test, and access WebXR experiences.
A few days prior to this reveal, Snap introduced the Lens Studio iOS app and web tool. Lens Studio provides developers with tools to build innovative AR experiences and has been in operation for over eight years, fostering a community of more than 400,000 AR creators, developers, and teams.
The new tools will make it easier for developers to create, publish, and enhance Snapchat Lenses, generate AI effects, add dancing Bitmojis, and more.
At the same time, the company clarified that Lens Studio (the desktop application) will remain the primary tool for professional developers and teams across Snapchat, partner mobile apps and websites, and Spectacles.
Snap also said it was looking to integrate new features such as Easy Lens, which allows developers to build Lenses in a matter of minutes. So far, this has been used to create over 10,000 Lenses since it entered early testing in mid-December 2024.
Speaking about the latest Lens Studio 5.10 release, Snap said it was introducing new Bitmoji Suite and new Games assets.
The new Bitmoji Suite brings new capabilities for personalizing and animating Bitmoji, including allowing developers to design custom outfits for Bitmoji, generate Bitmoji-stylized props, and animate Bitmoji using Snap’s library.
The new Games assets include a turn-based component to encourage back-and-forth play between friends, Character Controller, a modular and customizable movement system to support various gameplay formats, and updates to the Leaderboard.
“We’re excited about all of the ways to reward our community of AR creators and developers for their creativity. Starting on June 3rd, developers can register for a chance to win cash prizes for using Bitmoji Suite and Games assets with our Bitmojiverse Challenge,” said Snap about the new features and competition.
Ahead of this, Snap made two more key announcements, albeit unrelated to smart glasses.
Snap announced the availability of Snapchat now on Apple Watch, in a bid to make it “easier for Snapchatters to bring their conversations with them on the go.”
In a more recent reveal, Snap announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with McDonald’s (USA), which will see MyMcDonald’s Rewards members being offered a Snapchat+ subscription by exchanging points to redeem a one-month subscription. This deal will run from June 10 to July 7, but will be available for new subscribers only, while supplies last.
Essentially, when it comes to exceptional digital experiences, Snap is looking to pull out all the stops, including spending billions of dollars to develop smart glasses that offer a new kind of AR experience.
Do you think Snap’s new smart glasses can compete with Meta’s range of products as well as other players in the sector?
Let us know in the comments below!
First published on Wed, Jun 11, 2025
Enjoyed what you've read so far? Great news - there's more to explore!
Stay up to date with the latest news, a vast collection of tech articles including introductory guides, product reviews, trends and more, thought-provoking interviews, hottest AI blogs and entertaining tech memes.
Plus, get access to branded insights such as informative white papers, intriguing case studies, in-depth reports, enlightening videos and exciting events and webinars from industry-leading global brands.
Dive into TechDogs' treasure trove today and Know Your World of technology!
Disclaimer - Reference to any specific product, software or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by TechDogs nor should any data or content published be relied upon. The views expressed by TechDogs' members and guests are their own and their appearance on our site does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by TechDogs' Authors are those of the Authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of TechDogs or any of its officials. While we aim to provide valuable and helpful information, some content on TechDogs' site may not have been thoroughly reviewed for every detail or aspect. We encourage users to verify any information independently where necessary.
Loading comments...
