Snapchat is keeping its foot in the AR wearables game with an updated version of its Spectacles, even as tech giants Apple and Meta push ahead with their own advancements. The social media company has been working on AR-enabled Spectacles for almost a decade, and while the latest version isn’t available to the general public yet, Snapchat is rolling out new features and incentives to keep developers engaged.
GPS-Powered AR Effects Bring Interactive Elements to Spectacles
The latest Spectacles update brings GPS and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) functionality, allowing users to experience AR effects that align with their real-world location. This means directions and virtual markers can overlay onto the physical world, adding an extra layer of utility to Snap’s glasses.
It’s not just navigation—Snap is also introducing interactive multiplayer gaming elements. One notable collaboration is with Niantic’s “Peridot Beyond,” an AR-based pet game similar to Pokémon Go.
- Multiplayer functionality lets users interact with their AR pets alongside friends.
- Spectacles and the Peridot mobile game are now connected, so progress made in AR translates into in-game rewards on mobile.
- The added tracking capability even supports real-world applications, like a holographic AR basketball coach that offers guided shooting drills and automatic score tracking.
AR Lens Creation Gets More Tools and Competitive Edge
Snapchat isn’t stopping at new experiences. The company is rolling out enhancements for AR lens developers, giving them fresh tools and features to expand their creativity.
These include:
- Leaderboards: Developers can now add competition-based elements to their AR lenses, encouraging engagement through high scores.
- AR Keyboard: A new input method that allows for more dynamic interactive lenses.
- Improved Hand Tracking: Enhanced recognition technology for smoother and more responsive AR experiences.
- Updated Lens Unlocking Processes: Making it easier for users to access and use AR lenses directly from the Spectacles.
These updates give creators more flexibility, while also ensuring that Snapchat’s AR ecosystem continues to evolve in meaningful ways.
Snap Introduces Cash Incentives for AR Developers
One of the more notable announcements is the introduction of Spectacles Community Challenges, an incentive program designed to reward AR lens creators. By teaming up with AR marketing platform Lenslist, Snapchat is offering over $20,000 in monthly prizes to developers who create engaging and technically advanced AR experiences.
Each month, prizes will be distributed across multiple categories:
| Category | Number of Winners | Prize Pool |
|---|---|---|
| Top New Lenses | 5 | $10,000 |
| Top Updated Lenses | 5 | $10,000 |
| Top Open Source Lens | 1 | $TBD |
This initiative aims to keep developers engaged with Snap’s AR platform while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with Spectacles.
Limited Access Raises Questions About Snap’s AR Future
Despite the exciting updates, there’s still one major catch—Snapchat’s AR glasses aren’t available to the public. Access is limited to a select group of developers, and even they have to pay a monthly subscription fee.
Here’s how the program works:
- Developers and educators can apply for the Spectacles Developer Program.
- If approved, access to one pair of Spectacles costs $99 per month.
- Teachers and students receive a discount, but it’s still a significant paywall.
While this keeps the technology in the hands of those who can best utilize it, the lack of consumer availability raises concerns about its viability in a market where Apple and Meta are poised to dominate.
The Big Question: Can Snapchat Compete in the AR Market?
Snapchat’s AR ambitions are clear, but its current strategy makes it hard to gauge long-term potential. Unlike Apple’s Vision Pro or Meta’s Quest devices, which are gearing up for broader commercial releases, Snap’s AR Spectacles remain a niche product with limited access.
The real test will be whether Snapchat can translate these developer-focused improvements into a mainstream product. Until then, its AR glasses remain an interesting but distant possibility for everyday users.
