Meta and Snap to Introduce Competing AR Glasses in September

The next version of Snap's connected glasses will be introduced on September 17, 2024, during a “partner summit.” Evan Spiegel, the company's founder and CEO, will be the one to introduce the fifth generation of Spectacles, according to the statement. The Edge.

5 Offers Always Tailored to Influencers

Like the current model, they will have augmented reality capabilities, and will benefit from a wider field of view and better autonomy. This won't be much: the Spectacles 4 have a battery life of only half an hour, and their resolution (480 x 564 pixels) and field of view (> 30 degrees) leave something to be desired. It remains to be seen if Snap has also managed to make them more compact, since they cannot be considered simple sunglasses, unlike previous models (without augmented reality).

However, unfortunately for fans of this sector, it seems that they will remain limited to influencers and app developers. However, according to The Verge, less than 10,000 pairs will be manufactured, at a cost of several thousand dollars. This at least confirms that Snap has not (yet) abandoned this sector, which is not guaranteed. The Spectacles 4 were released in 2021 and since then the company has reduced its ambitions regarding the devices. In particular, it abandoned the drone project immediately after its launch in 2022.

Orion, Meta's 'iPhone Moment'

One reason for this persistence may be the desire to go against Meta, the undisputed champion of virtual reality and augmented reality. Mark Zuckerberg will also present AR glasses, just a week later, at his Connect conference. This is the famous Orion prototype, which is also not intended for sale, but rather as a demonstration of advanced technology. Only a thousand copies will be produced. Meta’s goal is to help the public (and especially developers) visualize what the glasses will look like in the next decade.

Mark Zuckerberg's company is already marketing connected glasses in partnership with the Ray-Ban brand, whose latest model is enjoying great success, notably thanks to the AI-generated personal assistant that is available abroad in the Atlantic (not available in Europe due to data protection laws). They have a camera, microphones and speakers, but no screen, which limits their usefulness. L'Usine Digitale tested them extensively when they were released and we were impressed by their capabilities and their shape, which are no bigger than a pair of classic sunglasses. Meta is so satisfied with them that he could invest in EssilorLuxottica.