Snap Enhances Spectacles Software with Faster Browser and Spotlight Video Support
Key Points
- Snap OS receives a redesigned, faster, and more power‑efficient web browser.
- New Spotlight lens enables AR browsing of Snap's short‑form video platform.
- Gallery lens lets users preview and scroll through photos taken with Spectacles.
- Battery life supports up to 40 minutes of continuous video playback.
- Snap plans to launch a smaller, lighter consumer version of Spectacles in 2026.
- Software upgrades aim to make AR experiences more useful and reduce phone reliance.
Snap is rolling out a major software update for its Spectacles augmented reality glasses, adding a redesigned web browser, dedicated Spotlight video browsing, and a new gallery lens. The upgraded Snap OS promises smoother site switching, better power efficiency, and up to 40 minutes of continuous video playback. The changes aim to make AR experiences more useful as Snap prepares to launch a smaller, lighter consumer version of the glasses in 2026, moving beyond its current developer‑only model.
Snap Refreshes Spectacles Software
Snap is upgrading the software that powers its Spectacles augmented reality glasses as it readies the first non‑developer version of the device for release. The latest update to Snap OS introduces a redesigned web browser that makes it easier to switch between sites, resize windows to different aspect ratios, and operate more quickly while using less power. Snap says the new browser can support around 40 minutes of continuous video playback, a modest improvement compared with the current battery life ceiling of about 45 minutes.
Spotlight Video Integration
In addition to the browser overhaul, Snap is adding a dedicated lens that lets users browse Spotlight, the company’s short‑form video platform, directly in AR. This dedicated Spotlight lens gives wearers quick access to the platform’s content without needing to pull out a phone. A new gallery lens also lets users preview photos taken with the glasses’ built‑in camera and scroll through them using hand gestures.
Preparing for a Consumer Launch
The software upgrades come a year after Snap first showcased its AR glasses prototype. Since that debut, hundreds of developers have experimented with the device, creating custom lenses and experiences. However, the glasses have remained limited to developers who pay a subscription fee. Snap plans to change that by selling a smaller, lighter, and more capable pair of glasses to the broader market in 2026.
Implications for AR Adoption
Snap has long said one of its goals for AR glasses is to reduce the time people spend staring at their phones. While the company has not yet achieved that objective, the added browser functionality and Spotlight integration suggest a push toward more practical, everyday uses of the technology. By improving performance, extending video playback, and simplifying content navigation, Snap hopes to make the Spectacles platform more appealing to consumers beyond the developer community.
Board Changes and Outlook
In related news, Jim Lanzone, the CEO of Engadget’s parent company Yahoo, joined Snap’s board of directors. While this personnel change does not directly affect the software update, it signals continued executive interest in the company’s broader strategy.