Snapchat is pushing its augmented reality ambitions forward with significant updates to its Spectacles AR glasses. While not yet available to the public, the company is adding new location-based features, enhanced developer tools, and major cash incentives. This move aims to keep its creator community engaged as it competes with AR hardware from tech giants like Apple and Meta, but the glasses remain exclusive to a select group of developers for now.
GPS and Gaming Features Enhance the AR Experience
The latest version of Spectacles now includes GPS and GNSS capabilities, a major step forward for the hardware. This technology allows developers to create AR effects that are tied to a user’s real-world location. Imagine seeing navigation arrows overlaid on the street in front of you or discovering virtual objects at specific landmarks.
This location-awareness also opens the door to more interactive and social AR gaming. Snap has partnered with Niantic, the creators of Pokémon Go, to bring the AR pet game “Peridot Beyond” to Spectacles. This collaboration highlights the new multiplayer potential of the glasses.
- Users can now see and play with their AR pets alongside their friends in the same physical space.
- Progress made while playing on Spectacles connects directly to the Peridot mobile game, earning players in-game rewards.
- The technology also supports practical applications, such as a holographic basketball coach that provides real-time shooting drills and tracks your score automatically.
These additions move Spectacles beyond simple social filters and toward becoming a more functional and interactive AR platform.
Empowering Creators with Advanced Lens Tools
Snapchat understands that its AR ecosystem is built by its community of developers. To keep that creative energy flowing, the company is rolling out several powerful new tools for AR lens creation. These updates are designed to give creators more flexibility and ensure Snapchat’s AR platform continues to evolve in meaningful ways.
The new features include an AR Keyboard for new types of text-based interactions and improved hand-tracking technology for more responsive and realistic AR experiences. Developers can also now add leaderboards to their lenses, introducing a competitive element to drive user engagement. Furthermore, Snap has simplified the process for unlocking and accessing lenses directly from the Spectacles hardware.
Over $20,000 in Monthly Prizes to Boost Development
Perhaps the most significant announcement is the launch of Spectacles Community Challenges. In a direct effort to spur innovation, Snapchat is offering substantial cash prizes to AR creators. Partnering with the AR marketing platform Lenslist, Snap will award over $20,000 each month to developers who build exceptional AR experiences for Spectacles.
This program is a clear incentive to keep top-tier talent building on Snap’s platform. The prizes are broken down into several categories to reward both new and existing projects.
| Category | Number of Winners | Prize Pool |
| Top New Lenses | 5 | $10,000 |
| Top Updated Lenses | 5 | $10,000 |
| Top Open Source Lens | 1 | $TBD |
Can Snap Compete with Limited Access and High Costs?
Despite all the exciting advancements, a major hurdle remains: you still can’t buy a pair of AR Spectacles. Access is restricted to members of the Spectacles Developer Program, who must apply and be approved.
Even for those accepted, there is a significant cost. Entry into the program requires a $99 per month subscription fee to get a single pair of the glasses. While a discount is available for teachers and students, this paywall keeps the technology firmly out of the hands of everyday consumers.
This developer-focused strategy stands in contrast to competitors like Meta, with its Quest line, and Apple, with its Vision Pro, who are targeting broader consumer releases. The big question is whether Snap can successfully transition from a niche developer tool into a mainstream product that can truly compete in the rapidly growing AR market.
