Snap’s new Specs put smart glasses comfort back in focus
The Vergecast weighed Snap’s $2,195 AR glasses against the practical problem that wearable computers still have to be wearable.
By Maya Lindqvist · Senior Technology Correspondent
3 min read
Snap’s new Specs are putting a familiar smart-glasses problem back in front of the tech industry: advanced augmented reality still has to fit comfortably on a person’s face. The Vergecast’s latest episode used the device to examine whether strong AR technology can overcome a bulky design and a high price.
The Verge’s David Pierce described the new Specs as one of the most impressive examples of face-worn computing the publication has seen. According to Pierce, the glasses are smaller than a VR headset, do not rely on a large charging puck, and could arrive with a broad set of features because Snap has spent years developing AR lenses.
The price is steep. Pierce said the glasses cost $2,195, while noting that the figure may reflect the current cost of packing this kind of technology into glasses. He also wrote that Snap appears to be leading the current race to build useful AR eyewear.
The open question, according to The Verge, is whether people will want to wear them. Pierce pointed to images of Snap CEO Evan Spiegel wearing the Specs, saying the large stems appear to press down on his ears. He also said promotional images of models and athletes seem carefully posed around the glasses’ apparent weight.
The Verge said it still has unanswered questions about the device, including how the Specs feel during real use. Pierce wrote that The Vergecast hosts David Pierce and Nilay Patel discussed whether the glasses could be compelling enough to justify any discomfort.
The episode also considered what kinds of experiences would make the device worth wearing, according to The Verge. Pierce said the hosts discussed the Specs’ four-hour battery life and whether that limit should be treated as a flaw or as a constraint that could spare users from wearing a heavy device for too long.
The Verge said the Specs are expected to ship this fall. Pierce wrote that the publication plans to test the glasses when they arrive.
Fox and Roku also on the agenda
The Vergecast episode moved from Snap’s hardware to Fox’s planned acquisition of Roku, according to The Verge. Pierce said the hosts discussed what it means for a content company to spend $22 billion on a smart TV operating system.
The conversation covered the future of both companies and whether Roku can remain as successful if it becomes less independent, according to Pierce. The episode also examined Tubi and The Roku Channel through what The Vergecast calls its Go90 Scale of Doomed Streaming Services.
The Verge said the episode’s lightning round included discussions of Facebook’s AI Mode, Matter 1.6, the show’s Hype Desk segment, and a segment labeled “Brendan Carr Is a Dummy.” The episode is available through The Vergecast’s usual video and audio feeds, with an ad-free version offered to Verge subscribers, according to The Verge.
This story draws on original reporting from The Verge.