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| | {{stub}} |
| | {{see also|Augmented Reality#Platforms}} |
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| ==AR Glasses== | | ==AR Glasses== |
| '''[[Snap Spectacles]]''' - 2016 | | '''[[Snap Spectacles]]''' - 2016 |
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| '''[[Snap Spectacles 5]]''' - 2024 | | '''[[Snap Spectacles 5]]''' - 2024 |
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| {{Platform Infobox
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| |image=
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| |Type=Augmented Reality
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| |Subtype=AR Operating System
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| |Creator=Snap Inc.
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| |Developer=Snap Inc.
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| |Manufacturer=Snap Inc.
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| |Operating System=Snap OS
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| |Browser=Built-in web browser with YouTube support
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| |Devices=Spectacles (5th generation)
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| |Accessories=USB-C cable, protective glasses cover, carrying pouch, prescription lens insert (optional), smartphone app
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| |Release Date=September 17, 2024
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| |Price=$99/month (Developer Program, 1-year commitment)
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| |Website=https://www.spectacles.com/
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| }}
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| {{see also|Augmented Reality#Platforms}}
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| '''Snap OS''' is a proprietary [[operating system]] designed specifically for [[augmented reality]] (AR) devices, developed by [[Snap Inc.]] The operating system was unveiled on September 17, 2024, at the 6th annual Snap Partner Summit in Santa Monica, California.<ref name="axios">Axios. "Snap debuts operating system for AR glasses." September 17, 2024.</ref><ref name="snapnewsroom">Snap Newsroom. "SPS 2024 | Introducing New Spectacles and Snap OS: The Next Frontier of AR Glasses." Accessed 2024.</ref> Snap OS powers the fifth generation of [[Spectacles]] AR glasses and represents a decade of research and development in AR technology by Snap Inc.<ref name="snapnewsroom"/>
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| ==Overview==
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| Snap OS is a purpose-built, groundbreaking operating system designed to enhance how people naturally interact with the world through AR experiences.<ref name="snapnewsroom"/> The system focuses on creating shared experiences and natural interactions, allowing users to navigate through [[hand tracking|hand gestures]] and [[voice commands]].<ref name="developertech">Developer Tech. "Snap OS debuts with developer-friendly Spectacles 5 AR glasses." September 18, 2024.</ref> Unlike traditional computing interfaces, Snap OS places the main menu in the palm of the user's hand, creating an intuitive navigation system.<ref name="snapnewsroom"/>
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| According to [[Evan Spiegel]], CEO of Snap Inc., the operating system represents a strategic move to position the company as a leader in AR technology: <ref name="axios">"I think glasses allow us to use computing grounded in the real world, together with our friends, and in a much more natural way."</ref>
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| ==Technical Architecture==
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| ===Snap Spatial Engine===
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| At the core of Snap OS is the '''Snap Spatial Engine''', which provides [[spatial computing]] capabilities that allow the system to understand the world around users.<ref name="snapnewsroom"/> The engine enables [[Lenses]] (Snap's term for AR applications) to appear realistically in three dimensions with precise environmental mapping.<ref name="developertech"/> The system achieves an industry-leading 13 millisecond [[motion-to-photon latency]], ensuring that AR content integrates naturally into the user's environment with minimal lag.<ref name="snapnewsroom"/><ref name="uploadvr">UploadVR. "Snap Spectacles Are $100/Month AR Glasses For Developers." September 25, 2024.</ref>
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| ===Hardware Integration===
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| Snap OS is designed to work with a dual [[system-on-chip]] architecture utilizing two [[Snapdragon]] processors from [[Qualcomm]].<ref name="developertech"/> This infrastructure splits the computational workload across the two processors, enabling more immersive experiences while reducing power consumption.<ref name="snapnewsroom"/> The dual-chip solution works in conjunction with titanium vapor chambers to improve heat dissipation, allowing for up to 45 minutes of continuous standalone runtime.<ref name="developertech"/>
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| {| class="wikitable"
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| |+ Technical Specifications
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| |-
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| ! Feature !! Specification
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| | Motion-to-photon latency || 13 milliseconds
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| | Processor || Dual Snapdragon processors
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| |-
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| | Battery life || Up to 45 minutes continuous use
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| |-
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| | Weight (with Spectacles) || 226 grams
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| |-
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| | Field of view || 46 degrees diagonal
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| |-
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| | Resolution || 37 pixels per degree
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| |-
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| | Display type || Stereo waveguide with automatic tint
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| |}
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| ==User Interface and Interaction==
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| ===Natural Interaction Methods===
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| Snap OS employs multiple interaction modalities to create a natural user experience:<ref name="snapnewsroom"/>
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| * '''Hand tracking''': Four integrated cameras enable seamless hand tracking for gesture-based controls
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| * '''Voice commands''': On-device speech recognition for text input and system commands
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| * '''Smartphone integration''': Users can utilize their phone as a custom game controller or 6DoF tracked controller
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| * '''Palm menu''': The main system menu appears in the user's palm for easy access
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| ===Display Technology===
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| The operating system drives [[Liquid Crystal on Silicon]] (LCoS) micro-projectors that create vivid, sharp images through advanced [[waveguide]] technology.<ref name="developertech"/> Each waveguide contains billions of nanostructures that guide light into the user's field of view without requiring lengthy calibrations or custom fittings.<ref name="snapnewsroom"/> The display automatically adjusts tinting based on environmental lighting conditions, ensuring visibility in various settings including direct sunlight.<ref name="uploadvr"/>
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| ==Development Platform==
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| ===Lens Studio 5.0===
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| Snap OS applications, called "Lenses," are developed using '''Lens Studio 5.0''', a completely rebuilt development environment.<ref name="developertech"/> Key features include:
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| * Support for [[TypeScript]] and [[JavaScript]] programming languages<ref name="developertech"/>
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| * Improved version control tools for team-based development<ref name="snapnewsroom"/>
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| * Quick deployment process replacing traditional compilation workflows<ref name="snapnewsroom"/>
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| * Direct push capability from Lens Studio to Spectacles hardware<ref name="developertech"/>
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| ===Spectacles Interaction Kit===
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| The '''Spectacles Interaction Kit''' (SIK) provides pre-built interaction systems that allow developers to create intuitive Lenses without building custom interaction frameworks from scratch.<ref name="developertech"/> The kit includes components for:
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| * Hand gesture recognition
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| * Spatial UI elements
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| * Multi-user synchronization
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| * Environmental understanding
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| ===SnapML and AI Integration===
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| '''SnapML''' enables developers to integrate custom [[machine learning]] models directly into Lenses for object identification, tracking, and augmentation.<ref name="developertech"/> Additionally, Snap has partnered with [[OpenAI]] to bring cloud-hosted multimodal AI models to the platform, allowing developers to add contextual understanding to AR experiences based on what users see, say, or hear.<ref name="developertech"/><ref name="uploadvr"/>
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| {| class="wikitable"
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| |+ Development Tools Comparison
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| ! Feature !! Lens Studio 5.0 !! Previous Versions
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| | Programming Languages || TypeScript, JavaScript || JavaScript only
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| | Deployment Method || Direct push || Compilation required
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| | Version Control || Built-in tools || External tools required
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| | AI Integration || SnapML + OpenAI models || Limited ML support
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| |-
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| | Interaction Framework || Spectacles Interaction Kit || Custom development required
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| |}
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| ==Features and Capabilities==
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| ===Shared Experiences===
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| A core principle of Snap OS is enabling shared AR experiences.<ref name="snapnewsroom"/> Multiple users can participate in the same Lens simultaneously, allowing for collaborative gaming, design review, and social interactions.<ref name="spectacles">Spectacles. "Get Closer with Friends." Accessed 2024.</ref> The system includes:
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| * '''Spectator Mode''': Allows non-Spectacles users to view AR content on their smartphones<ref name="snapnewsroom"/>
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| * '''Session management''': Developers can set fixed session IDs for controlled multi-user experiences
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| * '''Connected Lens framework''': Real-time synchronization between multiple devices
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| ===Built-in Applications===
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| Snap OS includes several pre-installed features:<ref name="spectacles"/>
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| * '''My AI''': Snap's AI assistant with multimodal capabilities
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| * '''Web browser''': Supporting standard web content including YouTube
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| * '''Phone mirroring''': Ability to mirror smartphone screen content
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| * '''Lens Explorer''': Discovery interface for finding and launching AR experiences
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| ===Privacy and Security===
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| While specific privacy features were not extensively detailed in available sources, the system includes:<ref name="developertech"/>
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| * LED indicators that illuminate when cameras are active
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| * Permission-based access to device capabilities
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| * Sandboxed application environment for Lenses
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| ==Launch Partners and Applications==
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| Snap OS launched with several high-profile development partners creating showcase applications:<ref name="developertech"/><ref name="snapnewsroom"/>
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| {| class="wikitable"
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| |+ Launch Partner Applications
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| ! Partner !! Application !! Description
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| | [[LEGO Group]] || BRICKTACULAR || Interactive AR building game controlled by hands and voice
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| | [[ILM Immersive]] || Star Wars experiences || AR experiences connecting users with the Star Wars universe
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| | [[Niantic]] || Peridot, Scaniverse || AR pet game and 3D scanning application
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| | Wabisabi Games || Capture the Flag || Multiplayer AR gaming experience
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| |}
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| ==Business Model and Availability==
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| ===Developer Program===
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| Snap OS and Spectacles are available through the '''Spectacles Developer Program''', launched in the United States on September 17, 2024.<ref name="developertech"/> The program operates on a subscription model:
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| * Monthly cost: $99 USD
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| * Minimum commitment: 1 year
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| * Total annual cost: $1,188
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| * Includes: Spectacles hardware, Snap support, and development tools<ref name="uploadvr"/>
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| Notably, Snap introduced the platform with "no developer tax," meaning developers retain 100% of revenue from their applications.<ref name="developertech"/>
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| ===Market Strategy===
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| Snap CEO Evan Spiegel views the operating system as crucial to diversifying the company's business model beyond advertising.<ref name="axios"/> The long-term goal is to become "the most developer-friendly platform in the world," with potential monetization through various models including advertising, subscriptions, and direct Lens purchases.<ref name="axios"/>
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| ==Technical Limitations==
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| Current limitations of Snap OS include:<ref name="uploadvr"/>
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| * 45-minute battery life for continuous use
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| * Limited to developer access (no consumer release as of 2024)
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| * Production constraints limiting initial availability to approximately 10,000 units
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| * U.S.-only availability at launch
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| ==Future Development==
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| ===Planned Features===
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| According to release notes and developer documentation, upcoming features include:
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| * Enhanced multi-user session management
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| * Improved hand tracking with reduced jitter
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| * Extended battery life optimizations
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| * Expanded international availability
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| ===Industry Impact===
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| Snap OS represents a significant entry into the AR operating system market, competing with platforms like [[Android XR]] and [[visionOS]].<ref name="androidcentral">Android Central. "Android XR will make smart glasses more like smartwatches, and that's exactly what I want." 2024.</ref> Industry analysts note that the focus on natural interactions and shared experiences could establish new standards for AR computing interfaces.
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| ==See Also==
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| * [[Spectacles]]
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| * [[Augmented reality]]
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| * [[Snap Inc.]]
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| * [[Lens Studio]]
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| * [[Android XR]]
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| * [[Apple Vision Pro]]
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| * [[Meta Quest]]
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| ==References==
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| <references>
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| <ref name="axios">Axios. "Snap debuts operating system for AR glasses." September 17, 2024. https://www.axios.com/2024/09/17/snap-operating-system-ar-glasses</ref>
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| <ref name="snapnewsroom">Snap Newsroom. "SPS 2024 | Introducing New Spectacles and Snap OS: The Next Frontier of AR Glasses." https://newsroom.snap.com/sps-2024-spectacles-snapos</ref>
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| <ref name="developertech">Developer Tech. "Snap OS debuts with developer-friendly Spectacles 5 AR glasses." September 18, 2024. https://www.developer-tech.com/news/snap-os-debuts-with-developer-friendly-spectacles-5-ar-glasses/</ref>
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| <ref name="uploadvr">UploadVR. "Snap Spectacles Are $100/Month AR Glasses For Developers." September 25, 2024. https://www.uploadvr.com/snap-spectacles-5-ar/</ref>
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| <ref name="spectacles">Spectacles. "Get Closer with Friends." https://www.spectacles.com/spectacles-24</ref>
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| <ref name="androidcentral">Android Central. "Android XR will make smart glasses more like smartwatches, and that's exactly what I want." https://www.androidcentral.com/gaming/virtual-reality/smart-glasses-are-a-mess-but-android-xr-should-finally-fix-that</ref>
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| </references>
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| ==External Links==
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| * [https://www.spectacles.com/ Official Spectacles website]
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| * [https://ar.snap.com/ Snap AR Developer Portal]
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| * [https://lensstudio.snapchat.com/ Lens Studio Download]
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| * [https://www.snappartnersummit.com/ Snap Partner Summit]
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| [[Category:Operating systems]]
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| [[Category:Augmented reality]]
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| [[Category:Snap Inc.]]
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| [[Category:2024 software]]
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| [[Category:Proprietary operating systems]]
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