Snap’s Smart Glasses Team to Become Independent Company

Snap is gearing up to launch a new venture focused on its upcoming Specs augmented reality glasses, aiming to attract fresh investment for the project. This new entity, named “Specs,” will function as a separate subsidiary under Snap, paving the way for the anticipated public debut of the Specs glasses later this year.

The creation of Specs Inc. as a wholly-owned subsidiary is intended to enhance operational focus and alignment, foster new partnerships, and provide capital flexibility, including opportunities for minority investments. This move also aims to cultivate a distinct brand identity and facilitate clearer business valuation.

While the announcement reiterates plans to roll out the first consumer version of Specs smart glasses in 2026, it stops short of providing a specific launch date or pricing details. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel has indicated that Specs will be priced below the $3,499 Vision Pro, asserting that Snap will pioneer “a new computing paradigm” to follow in the footsteps of the 1984 Macintosh.

“Specs are launching at a pivotal moment, as artificial intelligence reshapes our interaction with computers,” Snap states. “Rather than relying on an operating system that requires us to do all the heavy lifting, Specs will incorporate a groundbreaking Intelligence System that understands you and your environment, assisting you in completing tasks while safeguarding your privacy.”

This vision was partially showcased in the Snap OS 2.0 update released for the fifth-generation developer Spectacles last year. Spiegel characterized the glasses as “a new kind of computer” that prioritizes AI, and Snap later secured a $400 million partnership with Perplexity in November. By launching Specs as a standalone company, Snap may be looking to separate the hardware from its Snapchat platform, which has faced scrutiny regarding child safety and social media addiction.