Snap’s new Specs augmented-reality glasses offer a range of interactive features, from painting in the air and displaying navigation directions to analyzing text and practicing sports skills. Announced in June and priced at $2,195, the glasses are expected to begin shipping in the next few weeks. A hands-on demonstration in Los Angeles suggested that, despite their bulky appearance, the glasses are relatively light, fit securely and remain usable in bright sunlight.
Hands-on with Snap’s Specs
WIRED’s Julian Chokkattu and I tried Snap’s Specs last week. Chokkattu attended a dedicated demonstration at Snap, while I visited a “Specs First Look” demo at the Westfield Century City Shopping Center in Los Angeles. The space had been open for only a few weeks.
On a warm Sunday afternoon, a steady stream of visitors passed through the mall’s demo area. Snap representatives provided Specs to people who signed up to try them. Children moved around the space, and the glasses looked particularly large on their faces. Visitors who completed the demonstration received free ice cream with a small chocolate cookie shaped like a Spectacle.
Augmented-reality features
The demonstration included more than a dozen lenses, or experiences, to test. Along with a push-up activity, the glasses let users interact with their surroundings by finger-painting in the air, overlaying navigation instructions on the real world, drawing on a notepad and analyzing text in a printed book.
The Specs also include sports-related experiences. One is designed to assist with golf, while a partnership with the NBA teaches users how to shoot basketballs.
Fit and visibility
The glasses are visibly thick, but they were surprisingly light and stayed securely in place. They come in two sizes; users who find the smaller pair too tight can try the larger model.
The virtual elements also remained visible in bright conditions. To test the display, I walked in direct sunlight. Even with the brightness set to its highest level, the on-screen elements could still be seen. The glasses automatically switched to “sunglasses mode,” darkening the lenses to reduce the effect of the sunlight. A Snap representative said the lenses always protect users’ eyes from ultraviolet rays.
Snap announced the Specs in June, but it took the company several months to disclose which features would actually be available. The $2,195 glasses are scheduled to start shipping in the next few weeks.
Source: www.wired.com
