Wearable displays have spent years promising to change how we work, but early augmented reality headsets often felt like wearing a games console on your face. The sixth-generation Snap Specs, which are due to arrive in the UK, take a different route. In a Snap Specs hands-on, it becomes clear that these are meant to be worn like an accessory rather than a bulky piece of enterprise hardware, and that everyday work tasks are very much part of the pitch.
Design and setup
The first thing you notice is the finish. The smooth black material feels pleasant in the hand and rests comfortably against the face. Setup takes only a few seconds. Most interaction happens through augmented reality, while two buttons on the arms handle recording and resetting when necessary. There is no mistaking them for an ordinary pair of glasses, though.
Unlike many other AR glasses, Snap’s device does not need to be tethered to a smartphone. That freedom means you can wear it wherever you go, and a portable charging pad is available to extend battery life when you are away from a socket.
Work-friendly features
The demonstrations on show leaned heavily toward entertainment and education, but several work scenarios stood out. One pair came loaded with Google Docs. Typing is done on a virtual keyboard, which could suit anyone who needs to jot down quick thoughts or emails away from a desk. You may attract curious glances while typing in mid-air, but the option to connect a Bluetooth keyboard is there for those who prefer it.
The glasses can also capture video clips of up to 30 seconds and still images. For creative workers, that means grabbing a shot of a billboard idea or something spotted in the wild for a future project without reaching for a phone.
A built-in browser handles the usual web tasks and doubles as a media viewer. That makes it possible to work on or review a presentation or promotional video, or simply catch up on YouTube.
The voice AI assistant responded quickly and effectively to questions, even if its answer on the nearest tube station left some doubt. Using Google Maps with a heads-up display proved a genuine game-changer, although walking down the street wearing a £2,000 pair of glasses may not appeal to everyone.
Translation as the standout
The most striking demonstration was live translation. When looking at someone speaking a foreign language, their words were instantly translated and displayed in a speech bubble over the speaker, much like subtitles on a television show. For business meetings in other countries, this could be an extraordinary tool and may well be the killer application for devices like Snap Specs.
The workplace verdict
At £1,999, the Snap Specs are not an impulse purchase. Many of the more enjoyable demos involved playing dominoes, improving football skills, a drawing tutorial and an interactive Harry Potter experience featuring a pet owl and the sorting hat. That suggests the device is not quite a finished workplace product yet. Even so, the combination of untethered use, document access, quick capture and real-time translation points to a future where AR glasses earn a practical place in the working day.
