Snapchat marked six months since the launch of its fifth-generation Spectacles by unveiling a range of new augmented reality (AR) features and platform enhancements for the smart glasses. The latest update introduces advanced GPS-powered AR Lenses, improved hand-tracking capabilities, and a system-wide AR keyboard. These new tools aim to enhance the user experience by enabling real-time navigation, interactive gaming, and seamless social integration. With these upgrades, Snapchat is pushing the boundaries of wearable AR technology, making Spectacles more immersive and functional than ever.
New AR Features for Snapchat Spectacles
According to Snapchat’s newsroom announcement, developers can now create Lenses using GPS, GNSS, compass heading, and custom locations. These capabilities enable real-time, location-based AR experiences. One of the highlighted examples is NavigatAR, a Lens developed by Utopia Labs, which helps users navigate from one location to another using GPS data, Snap Map Tiles, and compass heading. Another feature, the Pioneer Lens, allows users to design and experience AR walking courses, adding a new layer of interactivity to everyday navigation.
Interactive Experiences and Sports Training
Snapchat has also introduced new ways for users to interact with AR elements in real-time. The Peridot Beyond Lens now allows players to see and engage with their digital creatures, known as “Dots,” alongside their friends in shared AR sessions. Meanwhile, Doggo Quest by Wabisabi leverages SnapML to recognize pets and overlay playful AR effects onto them through the Spectacles. Sports fans are also in for a treat with the new Basketball Trainer Lens, which features a holographic AR coach that guides users through shooting drills while automatically tracking scores using SnapML technology.
Enhanced Usability and Social Integration
Beyond AR enhancements, Snapchat has introduced a system-wide AR keyboard for Spectacles, featuring both full and numeric layouts. This upgrade makes it easier for users to interact with their glasses without relying on a phone. Additionally, Snapchat is integrating leaderboards into Spectacles, allowing users to track high scores across various Lenses. Spectacles users can now also open Lenses directly from message threads in Snapchat, iMessage, and Google Messages, making AR experiences more accessible and connected across different platforms. With these updates, Snapchat is reinforcing its commitment to advancing wearable AR and making Spectacles a more versatile device for entertainment, gaming, and everyday use.
