At a Glance
- Snap is spinning out its smart-glasses business into a new subsidiary, Specs Inc., slated for a later-year launch.
- The move follows Meta’s continued releases of AI glasses and rumors of Apple’s AR-powered devices.
- Specs will be offered through a $99 monthly subscription for developers, not as a consumer product yet.
- Why it matters: The launch signals a growing battle in the emerging mixed-reality market and could shape how social media and productivity tools integrate wearable tech.
Snap announced that it will spin off its smart-glasses line into a new subsidiary, Specs Inc., later this year. The announcement follows Meta’s ongoing releases of AI glasses and rumors that Apple is developing augmented-reality eyewear. Snap’s first Spectacles were introduced in 2016, giving the company a head start in the space.
Competitive Landscape
Snap’s new venture enters a field that is heating up quickly. Meta has been rolling out new versions of its AI glasses, and Apple is rumored to be working on a pair that would combine AI and augmented reality. Apple’s Vision Pro headsets, which sit at the premium end of the market, have not sold well, highlighting the challenge of capturing mainstream interest.
The competition underscores the importance of differentiation. Snap’s Specs aim to keep users “in the moment” as a tool for social interactions and business, rather than simply recording video for social media.
Specs Product Details
In its announcement, Snap described Specs as follows: “Specs products have see-through lenses that add digital objects to the world in three dimensions, enabling natural controls with your hands and voice.” The company highlighted a first-of-its-kind Intelligence System that uses its understanding of you and your world to help get things done while protecting privacy.
“Specs feature a first-of-its-kind Intelligence System that uses its understanding of you and your world to help get things done on your behalf while protecting and respecting your privacy,” the company said. “We’re building a computer that we hope you’ll use less, because it does more for you.”
Business Model & Subscription
At present, Spectacles are not available as a consumer product. Instead, they are offered as a $99 monthly subscription service aimed at developers and creators. The company’s website focuses on attracting developers to build for the platform.
This approach mirrors a broader trend of providing early access to hardware for developers to unlock new experiences before a consumer launch. It also allows Snap to refine the product based on real-world usage data.
Industry Outlook
Ben Wood, chief analyst and CMO of CCS Insight, commented on the announcement in a LinkedIn post: “Given how hot this area is right now, it’s a smart move, and I’m certainly looking forward to seeing what the commercial product will look like later in the year.”
Wood added that Spectacles won’t be alone in 2026, predicting several new smart-glasses products to emerge that year. “I suspect we are going to see quite a few products emerging in this segment in 2026,” he said.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Snap releases first Spectacles glasses |
| Later this year | Snap launches Specs Inc. and $99 subscription service |
| 2026 | Expected influx of new smart-glasses products from Meta, Apple, and others |
Key Takeaways
- Snap’s spin-off into Specs Inc. positions the company as a serious contender in the mixed-reality arena.
- The subscription model targets developers first, potentially accelerating innovation.
- Competition from Meta and Apple suggests that the market is rapidly evolving, with a focus on privacy-respecting, productivity-oriented eyewear.
- Industry analysts anticipate a surge in smart-glasses releases by 2026, indicating a maturing market.
Sources told News Of Los Angeles that Snap’s strategy reflects a broader shift toward integrated, privacy-focused wearable technology. The company’s emphasis on “in-the-moment” use cases signals a move away from purely entertainment-driven devices.
