Snap has announced a new partnership between its AR-glasses-focused subsidiary, Specs, and chip maker Qualcomm, as the company prepares to release its own wearable product later this year.
The Snapchat maker has long been teasing the release of the glasses – called Spectacles, or simply Specs and, earlier this year, left a new company To focus exclusively on business enterprise. In February, the company suddenly separated With Specs SVP Scott Myers, over the alleged “bickering” between him and Snap CEO Evan Spiegel.
The newly announced partnership with Qualcomm shows signs of life for the project. A press release said the specs will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR platforms, its systems-on-a-chip designed to power augmented and virtual reality devices.
A press release claims the two companies will develop “on-device AI, cutting-edge graphics, and advanced multiuser digital experiences” as part of a multi-year strategic agreement.
“Our work with Qualcomm provides a strong foundation for the future of Specs, providing developers and consumers with advanced technology and performance that push the boundaries of what’s possible,” Spiegel said.
The Specs saga has been a long one. Snap originally began developing the product over a decade ago. The last consumer-facing version of the glasses was released in 2019. From 2024 onwards, glasses A developer-only product-Providing Snap with the opportunity to work on new types of programs that the company hopes will attract users when they launch.
