Why Snap chose a face computer over AI glasses

Snap CEO Evan Spiegel joins The Deep View Conversations to discuss SPECS, Snap's long-awaited augmented reality glasses and why he believes they represent a new era of computing. Senior reporter Sabrina Ortiz interviewed Evan at Augmented World Expo immediately after the SPECS unveiling, and Spiegel explained why Snap spent more than a decade building toward this moment, how SPECS differ from AI smart glasses and mixed reality headsets, and why he sees AR glasses as the future beyond smartphones. Other topics covered include: • Why Snap calls SPECS a "computer" instead of AI glasses • How SPECS combine wearability with advanced spatial computing • The role AI played in making consumer AR glasses viable • Why shared experiences could become AR's killer app • The challenge of competing with Apple, Meta, and other tech giants • Snap's 12-year investment in augmented reality hardware and software • The importance of developers in building the AR ecosystem • Why Spiegel believes people are ready for an alternative to smartphones • How AR glasses could make computing more human Spiegel argues that after nearly two decades of smartphone dominance, consumers are increasingly looking for a more natural way to interact with technology. Snap's bet is that augmented reality glasses can bring computing into the world around us instead of pulling us away from it. Subscribe to Deep View Conversations for interviews with the leaders shaping the future of AI, business, and technology: tdv.transistor.fm And don't forget to sign up for The Deep View daily newsletter. We don’t just cover AI, we decode it. In a world flooded with hype, we deliver sharp, no-nonsense insights to keep you ahead of the curve and help you put AI to work every day: subscribe.thedeepview.com TIMELINE 0:00 Introduction 0:55 Why Snap calls Specs a computer 1:24 Specs vs AI glasses and headsets 2:07 Everyday use cases for Specs 3:27 Wearability, weight, and battery life 4:38 Designing Specs to stand out 7:43 Why Snap is launching Specs now 9:10 Pricing and the target audience 10:26 Why Specs do not need a puck 11:52 Evan Spiegel's favorite use cases 13:02 Shared AR experiences 14:01 Future demos and hands-on opportunities