Spectacles Gets WebXR-enabled Browser, New Spotlight and Gallery Lenses

• Snap OS, the operating system for Spectacles, has been updated to Snap OS 2.0, bringing updates to the browser and new lenses to discover content.
• Browser gets new design, upgraded performance, and WebXR support.

Snap has updated the operating system behind Spectacles, its fifth-generation AR glasses. Snap OS 2.0 brings with it a brand new interface, massive updates to the browser, and brand new content lenses to discover and engage with content.

One of the biggest changes in this update is the browser, which Snap has completely overhauled. The browser now features a new home screen with widgets, bookmarks, and an improved toolbar, all designed to make it quicker and easier to access web content. Under the hood, Snap has improved browser performance, including optimizing page load speeds and reducing power usage. Perhaps the most exciting new feature is support for WebXR, which Snap says "opens the door for immersive augmented reality experiences that you can access directly in the browser."

Spectacle users will also get two new Lenses with this update. The Spotlight Lens allows users to access Snapchat Spotlight content on their glasses. The portrait mode view can be anchored in space or set to follow the user as they move. The Gallery Lens serves as the new hub for viewing photos and videos captured with the glasses' onboard camera. Snap is also launching a new travel mode that helps stabilize and anchor the content experience while wearing the glasses on the go, such as on trains, planes, or as a passenger in a car.

Snap continues to nurture the developer ecosystem for Spectacles, which it says is now active in 30 countries worldwide. These developers have been busy experimenting and launching content for the device. As part of the Snap OS announcement, Snap shared that the popular rhythm game Synth Riders will soon be joining its growing catalogue of content.

🌀 Tom's Take:

Content will decide whether AR glasses succeed. These OS updates make it easier to find, access, and enjoy content, which means users are more likely to stick with the experience. With consumer glasses expected next year, getting this foundation right is critical to building lasting engagement.

Source: Snap