Snap CEO Evan Spiegel wants to reframe how people think about the company's upcoming AR glasses. During an interview at AWE, Spiegel insisted the Specs aren't "AI glasses" but rather "a new type of computer, a see-through computer" that overlays computing on the world around you. This positioning, he argues, makes computing feel more human.

The $2,195 Specs launch into a more competitive market than Snap faced in 2016, with increased scrutiny of smartglass privacy. Spiegel distanced Snap from Meta's recent facial recognition controversy, noting the company moderates Lenses to prevent such features. Parental controls let parents limit available Lenses through a toggle in the app, addressing concerns about teen usage.

Design improvements are evident compared to the 2024 developer version - narrower, rounder frames replace the boxy look, though arms remain thick and extend past the head. Rainbow reflections appear on the waveguides when the wearer moves, and a darkening feature blacks out lenses completely. Snap isn't offering demos yet, limiting hands-on impressions.

At nearly $2,200, Specs sits in premium territory alongside Apple Vision Pro. Spiegel acknowledged price reduction is a long-term goal for accessibility, targeting early adopters and developers initially. The company faces the challenge of convincing consumers to wear a computer on their face while navigating privacy concerns and regulatory pressure.