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Snap Spectacles 4

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Snap Spectacles 4
Basic Info
VR/AR Augmented Reality
Type Head-mounted display
Subtype Standalone AR
Platform Snap AR Platform
Developer Snap Inc.
Manufacturer Snap Inc.
Announcement Date May 20, 2021
Release Date May 2021 (Developer-only)
Price Not for sale (Developer program only)
Website https://www.spectacles.com/
Versions Single version
Requires Lens Studio, Compatible smartphone
Predecessor Snap Spectacles 3
Successor Snap Spectacles 5
System
Operating System Proprietary
Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1
CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1
GPU Integrated in XR1
Storage
SD Card Slot No
Display
Display Dual 3D waveguide displays
Peak Brightness Up to 2000 nits
Resolution 480 x 564 per eye
Refresh Rate 120 Hz
Image
Field of View 26.3° diagonal
Visible FoV 26.3° diagonal
Foveated Rendering No
Optics
Optics Waveguide
Ocularity Binocular
Passthrough Yes (via cameras)
Tracking
Tracking 6 DoF (Six degrees of freedom)
Base Stations No (inside-out tracking)
Eye Tracking No
Face Tracking No
Hand Tracking Yes
Body Tracking No
Rotational Tracking Yes
Positional Tracking Yes
Latency 15 millisecond motion-to-photon
Audio
Audio 2 stereo speakers
Microphone 4 built-in microphones
3.5mm Audio Jack No
Camera 2 RGB cameras
Connectivity
Connectivity Wi-Fi
Wired Video No
Wireless Video Yes
WiFi Yes
Power Rechargeable battery
Battery Life 30 minutes active use
Device
Weight 134 grams
Headstrap Temple arms (glasses style)
Haptics No
Color Black
Sensors IMU, cameras for SLAM
Input Touchpad, voice commands, hand tracking


Introduction

The Snap Spectacles 4 (also known as fourth generation Spectacles) are augmented reality glasses developed by Snap Inc., announced on May 20, 2021, at the Snap Partner Summit. Unlike all previous generations which only featured cameras for capture, Spectacles 4 were Snap's first glasses to include actual AR displays, marking a significant milestone in the company's hardware evolution.[1]

These glasses were not made available for consumer purchase but were instead distributed exclusively to AR creators and developers as a development kit to build AR experiences using Lens Studio. Snap planned to send out approximately 1,000 units to selected developers who applied through their creator program.[1]

Development Philosophy

Snap took a "form-over-function" approach with Spectacles 4, prioritizing a wearable form factor that consumers would find reasonable over raw technical capabilities. This strategy contrasted with competitors like Microsoft HoloLens and Magic Leap, which traded bulkiness for greater capabilities.[1]

CEO Evan Spiegel described the glasses at launch: "Spectacles tap into our human senses of sight, touch, and sound to bring Lenses to life... Spectacles aren't for sale—they're for augmented reality creators to reimagine the way we communicate, live, and explore the world together through AR experiences built in Lens Studio."[2]

Hardware Specifications

Display Technology

  • Display Type: Dual 3D waveguide displays[2]
  • Resolution: 480 x 564 pixels per eye[3]
  • Field of View: 26.3 degrees diagonal[2]
  • Brightness: Dynamically adjusts up to 2000 nits for indoor/outdoor use[2]
  • Refresh Rate: 120 Hz[3]

Processing and Performance

Tracking and Interaction

  • Spatial Tracking: 6 degrees of freedom (6DoF)[2]
  • Hand Tracking: Yes, for gesture-based interactions[2]
  • Tracking Technology: Snap Spatial Engine with:

Cameras and Sensors

  • RGB Cameras: 2 front-facing cameras for world mapping[4]
  • Microphones: 4 built-in microphones[5]
  • Sensors: IMU and cameras for SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping)[6]

Audio and Input

  • Speakers: 2 stereo speakers[4]
  • Input Methods:
    • Touchpad on temple for navigation
    • Voice commands via "Voice Scan"
    • Hand gestures
    • Physical buttons (left button for capturing Snaps, right button for Scan)[2]

Physical Characteristics

  • Weight: 134 grams (significantly lighter than competitors like HoloLens)[2]
  • Form Factor: Traditional glasses design
  • Battery Life: Approximately 30 minutes of active use[1]
  • Charging Case: Can hold up to 4 charges[1]

Software and Development

Lens Studio Integration

Developers could create AR experiences using Lens Studio, Snap's desktop application for building AR Lenses. Key features included:

  • Wireless push of Lenses to Spectacles for rapid testing
  • Real-time iteration capabilities
  • Support for existing Lens Studio creators (250,000+ at launch)[4]

Interaction Paradigms

  • Lens Carousel: Accessed via temple touchpad
  • Scan: Right button activated contextual understanding to suggest relevant Lenses
  • Voice Scan: Hands-free Lens launching via voice commands
  • Snap Capture: Left button captured 10-second AR-enhanced videos[2]

Limitations and Compromises

The push for a lightweight form factor resulted in significant technical compromises:

  • Limited Field of View: At 26.3 degrees, the FOV was notably narrow, requiring users to "hunt around the scene just to spot the content through the tiny window"[1]
  • Short Battery Life: 30 minutes made them "feel more like a dedicated-use device than something you use because you just happen to be wearing it"[1]
  • Display Limitations: Lower resolution compared to competitors
  • Developer-Only: Not available for consumer purchase[5]

Launch Partners and Experiences

By December 2021, AR experiences available on the glasses included:

  • A zombie chase game
  • Pong game
  • Solar System projection
  • Interactive art pieces
  • Connected Lenses allowing multiple Spectacles to interact when sharing Wi-Fi[4]

Notable creators given early access included:

  • Don Allen Stevenson III - XR Developer - Vibe Quest AR
  • Lauren Cason - Creative Technologist - Taos, Caldera, and Anita
  • Kat V. Harris - Technical Designer - Dance Helper
  • Zach Lieberman - Artist - Poem World (with Shantell Martin)[2]

Developer Program

Snap distributed Spectacles 4 through an application process:

  • Developers could apply at the official Spectacles website
  • Approximately 1,000 units planned for distribution
  • No cost to selected developers
  • Included support from Snap's team
  • Required use of Lens Studio for development[1]

Reception and Impact

The announcement generated significant interest in the AR development community. Publications praised Snap for transparently showing the limited field of view in promotional materials, with Road to VR noting: "props to Snap for making an effort to show how limited the field-of-view is in its promotional materials."[1]

The glasses were seen as an important stepping stone toward consumer AR glasses, with Snap CEO Evan Spiegel demonstrating experiences like AR butterflies landing on his hand during the launch presentation.[6]

Legacy

Spectacles 4 marked several important milestones:

  • First Snap Spectacles with AR displays
  • Introduction of hand tracking and spatial computing
  • Establishment of Snap as a serious player in AR hardware
  • Foundation for the more advanced Spectacles 5 and Snap OS[4]

The developer feedback and lessons learned from this generation directly influenced the significant improvements seen in Spectacles 5, including expanded field of view, better battery life, and the introduction of Snap OS.

Images

See Also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 https://www.roadtovr.com/snapchat-spectacles-ar-glasses-announcement/
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 https://newsroom.snap.com/introducing-the-next-generation-of-spectacles
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://vr-compare.com/headset/snapspectacles(2021)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectacles_(product)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/snap-spectacles-augmented-reality-glasses-1234977851/
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 https://newatlas.com/wearables/snapchat-ar-spectacles-2021/
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