Snap Unveils New Features for $2,200 Smart Glasses Amid Market Skepticism

Snap has reintroduced its $2,200 smart glasses, Specs, with a series of new features aimed at justifying their high price and limited consumer appeal. The company’s CEO, Evan Spiegel, presented these updates at a Los Angeles event, emphasizing the glasses’ integration with entertainment platforms like HBO Max and Spotify, as well as introducing Specs Intelligence, an AI system designed to enhance productivity by connecting with users’ apps and devices. The new AI system, described as an ‘anticipatory AI’ that builds understanding of user goals and routines, aims to position Specs as a computer you wear on your face. Snap also announced Specs for Enterprise, targeting corporate workflows with partnerships with Amazon, Salesforce, and Nvidia, though the practical applications remain unclear. A demo showed an IT technician using the glasses for hardware repairs, but the broader utility for consumers is questionable. Additional features include a cellular connectivity package for on-the-go use, priced at $10-$20 monthly, and an NBA/WNBA AR basketball app, which raises doubts about real-world use. Despite Spiegel’s claims that Specs represent a ‘human-centric’ computing experience, the device’s high cost, bulkiness, and lack of clear consumer benefits have drawn criticism. The company plans to host a Los Angeles pop-up in October before shipping the glasses later this fall. Snap’s strategy hinges on convincing both consumers and enterprises that the glasses offer unique value beyond traditional smart devices, though skepticism remains high.