Snap doubled down on its prediction that wearable electronics that improves one's vision of the actual world will be among the next big things in the IT industry on Tuesday by announcing an updated version of its Spectacles augmented-reality glasses.
Snap, well-known for its fleeting messaging service and animated filters, was a pioneer in augmented reality, a technology that allows users to superimpose virtual effects on images or videos taken of real-world scenes using a camera or lens.
Related Portable Google TV Experience for XR Glasses
The new fifth generation Spectacles integrate with mobile devices through the new Spectacles app, allowing users to control Lenses, mirror their phone screens, use their phone as a gaming controller with Lenses, and enable a spectator mode that allows people without their own Spectacles to follow along.
Compared to earlier models, the glasses offer a wider field of view and automatically darken in direct sunlight.
Initially, developers who create augmented reality features would be able to purchase spectacles for $99 a month, rather than selling them to consumers, reports Reuters.
In an interview conducted prior to the summit, Spiegel stated that this is a crucial step in increasing adoption among regular users.
"There has to be really compelling experiences," he said. "By working really closely with developers and just continuously improving our platform, I think we're going to get to a place where there are a lot of compelling lenses for people to try with Spectacles."
According to Snap, developers will be able to create more engaging augmented reality experiences for groups of two or more Spectacles wearers with the new OS. For instance, chess might be played in real time between two users in the same room on a virtual board that is rendered in the players' environment.
Additionally, Snap announced a revamp of the Snapchat app, condensing it from five distinct parts to three. In the past, the firm streamlined Snapchat's user interface for ads in an effort to boost advertising results.
