Snap OS 2.0 update

Snap releases Snap OS 2.0 for Spectacles as it gears up for a consumer AR glasses launch in 2026.

Snap OS 2.0 makes AR glasses fit for daily life

Snap has released Snap OS 2.0 for its fifth generation Spectacles, a software update aimed at developers as the company prepares for a consumer AR glasses launch in 2026. The update focuses on practical features rather than flashy demos: a faster web browser with bookmarks and resizable windows, a gallery to view footage captured by the glasses, and live translation tools. There is also a Spotlight app for Snapchat style videos and a gallery for playback. The goal is to show the device can be worn in daily life and to attract more developers to build on the platform. The company says the changes signal a move toward a usable product rather than a standalone tech demo.

Hardware remains the bottleneck. The current developer Spectacles are bulky and uncomfortable after minutes of use, with a battery life of about 45 minutes. Snap acknowledges battery life is a tricky problem for glasses that do not use external packs, and it compares to Meta’s more discreet partner models. The consumer version is planned for next year and should be cheaper than Apple’s Vision Pro, though timing and real-world adoption will hinge on design refinements. Snap’s emphasis on an AI-first experience aims to keep users connected to the real world rather than pulling them into a closed virtual space.

Snap is betting on a longer game. The OS update signals a shift from splashy demos to a platform strategy that depends on a thriving developer ecosystem and hardware that people will actually want to wear. If Snap can attract a critical mass of developers and prove battery life and comfort, OS 2.0 could help the Spectacles move beyond tech demos toward practical wearables that blur the line between camera and computer.

The social design angle matters as well. Snap frames AR as an enhancer of real life rather than a retreat from it, a stance that could ease public acceptance. But privacy and surveillance questions loom as wearables become more capable. If hardware remains bulky and software lag, backlash or regulatory scrutiny could slow progress even as the idea of daily AR use gains traction.

Highlights

Time will tell if daily wear becomes Snap's new reality.