Snapchat provides a glimpse into the future of AR glasses

Snapchat's fifth-generation Spectacles, while not consumer-ready, represent a significant leap in AR tech

- Sahil Bhalla

In 2014, the internet was at your fingertips—smartphones enabled seamless chatting on WhatsApp, watching YouTube videos, and receiving constant notifications. But what comes after thinner, faster, and longer-lasting smartphones? The answer: augmented reality (AR) glasses.

For years, companies have attempted to replace smartphones with smartwatches or, at the very least, reduce our reliance on screens. But some have set their sights on a far more ambitious goal—wearable AR devices that enhance daily experiences without requiring users to hold anything. Google Glass was an early attempt, and while it didn't take off, other companies like Magic Leap, HoloLens, and Rokid continue to push forward.

Among them, Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, has been developing AR glasses for a decade. The company showcased its fifth-generation Spectacles at the second annual India AR Day in Mumbai. With over 200 million Snapchat users in India engaging with AR lenses 80 billion times a month, the country has become a crucial market for Snap's AR ambitions.

WORKING WITH REALITY Snap's Head of AR Partnerships, Srivatsan Jayashankar, revealed that while India is the second-largest market for AR developers, the company has a staggering 375,000 developers globally who have created over 4 million AR Lenses.

Unlike previous iterations, which primarily functioned as stylish cameras, the latest Spectacles represent a bold leap into true AR. They overlay digital elements onto the real world through see-through lenses, powered by Snap's brand-new proprietary operating system, Snap OS.