Snapchat has unveiled its fifth generation of Spectacles, augmented reality (AR) glasses designed to enhance digital experiences, which were introduced in September 2024 and are currently available to developers.

This latest iteration marks a significant advancement in AR technology, with promising applications in both entertainment and education, hinting at a bright future for wearable tech.

Weighing approximately 226 grams, the Spectacles are designed for comfortable wear, incorporating all necessary technology directly into the glasses frame, eliminating the need for external devices.

Equipped with Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) micro-projectors, the Spectacles deliver sharp images with high brightness, making them suitable for outdoor use, and feature a tint function similar to sunglasses.

However, the field of view is limited to 46 degrees, which can be noticeable when users move their heads, presenting a challenge for immersive experiences.

The new Snap OS supports a variety of AR applications, including innovative features such as drawing in the air, creating virtual forests, playing virtual chess, video calling, and interactive piano lessons.

Among these features, the virtual forest allows users to plant trees and shrubs, creating a gamified experience that enhances user engagement.

The virtual chess feature enables users to play on a floating board, with hand movements accurately detected, contributing to a futuristic feel.

Additionally, an interactive piano lesson feature helps users learn piano quickly by tracking physical keys and providing playback notifications, although achieving proficiency requires practice.

Users can also draw in their surroundings using their fingers as virtual pens, although this feature is more effective when used with a structured canvas.

For communication, the Spectacles enable video calling through the front camera, focusing on the user's real-time perspective, making it particularly suitable for outdoor settings.

Currently, the Spectacles are available to developers for $99 per month with a one-year commitment, reflecting Snapchat's strategy to build a developer ecosystem ahead of a public release.