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The race to put augmented reality smart glasses on your face is heating up. Snap Spectacles are transforming into "Specs" and will launch as lighter and more powerful AR wearables in 2026.CEO Evan Spiegel announced the all-new Specs on stage at the XR event AWE, promising smart glasses that are smaller, considerably lighter, and "with a ton more capability."The company didn't spell out a specific time frame or price, but the 2026 launch schedule does put Meta on notice, which is busy prepping its exciting Orion AR glasses for 2027. It appears, Snap Specs will face off with the Samsung/Google Android XR-based Glasses, which are also expected sometime in 2026.As for what consumers can expect from Specs, Snap is building them on the same Snap OS used in its fifth-generation Spectacles (and likely still using a pair of Qualcomm Snapdragon XR chips). That means all the interface and interaction metaphors, like gesture-based controls, will remain. But there are a significant number of new features and integrations that will start showing up this year, long before Specs arrive, including AI.Upgrading the platform(Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future)Spiegel explained the updates by first revealing that Snap started working on glasses "before Snapchat" was even a thing and that the company's overarching goal is "making computers more human." He added that "with advances in AI, computers are thinking and acting like humans more than ever before."Snap's plan with these updates to Snap OS is to bring AI platforms into the real world. They're bringing Gemini and OpenAI models into Snap OS, which means that some multi-model AI capabilities will soon be part of Fifth Generation Spectacles and, eventually, Specs. These tools might be used for on-the-fly text translation and currency conversion.The updated platform also adds tools for Snap Lenses builders that will integrate with the Spectacles' and Specs' AR waveform-based display capabilities.A new Snap3D API, for instance, will let developers use GenAI to create 3D objects in lenses.The updates will include a Depth Module AI, which can read 2D information to create 3D maps that will help anchor virtual objects in a 3D world.Businesses deploying Spectables (and eventually Specs) may appreciate the new Fleet Management app, which will let developers manage and remotely monitor multiple Specs at once, and the ability to deploy the Specs for guided navigation at, say, a museum.Later, Snap OS will add WebXR support to build AR and VR experiences within Web browsers.Let's make it interestingSpiegel claimed that, through lenses in Snapchat, Snap has the largest AR platform in the world. "People use our AR lenses in our camera 8 billion times a day."That is a lot, but it's virtually all through smartphones. At the moment, only developers are using the bulky Spectacles and their Lenses capabilities.The consumer release of Specs could change that. When I tried Spectacles last year, I was impressed with the experience and found them, while not quite as good as Meta Orion glasses (the lack of gaze-tracking stood out for me), full of potential.A lighter form factor that approaches or surpasses what I found with Orion and have seen in some Samsung Android XR glasses, could vault Snap Specs into the AR Glasses lead. That is, providing they do not cost $2000.You might also likeThe best VR headsets in 2025 - Virtual Reality GamingI took my Meta Quest 3 on a 3000-mile flight so you don't ...Meta Orion hands-on: if this is a prototype the finished product is going to be incredible

Snap's next generation of standalone augmented reality glasses will arrive next year and will be smaller, lighter and more powerful than the developer-focused device the Snapchat maker introduced last year. CEO Evan Spiegel announced the upcoming glasses, which will be called "Specs," during a keynote at Augmented World Expo (AWE).

"Specs are coming next year, in a much smaller form factor, at a fraction of the weight, with a ton more capability," Spiegel said. He said the glasses will be "ready for public release," but didn't provide details on how much they may cost. The current fifth-generation glasses are available only to approved developers willing to commit to a year-long $99/month subscription.

Still, a smaller pair of AR glasses from Snap should be welcome news to Snapchat fans curious about the company's standalone AR device, but who may have been put off by its bulky, oversized design. Spiegel shared few details about the glasses, but in a blog post Snap suggested that AI will play an important role. "It’s clear that today’s devices and user interfaces are woefully inadequate to realize the full potential of AI," the company wrote. "Chatbots will soon give way to immersive experiences that bring AI into the world through augmented reality, empowering us to express ourselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together."

The existing version of Spectacles already has some AI-powered experiences, thanks to a partnership with OpenAI. And Snap today also announced new integrations with OpenAI and Google that allow developers to build multimodal lenses for Spectacles that can use the built-in cameras to react to the wearer's surroundings. Developers have already created experiences for recipe generation, translation and currency conversion, Snap said.

Spiegel did confirm that the AR lenses that developers are building now will work with the next-generation of frames. So whenever they do launch, there should be an established catalog of AR experiences for the glasses. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/snap-says-new-lightweight-ar-glasses-will-come-in-2026-171020059.html?src=rss

Epson introduces ReadyPrint MAX, bundling printers and ink via subscription Plans can be customized based on your printing needs, including number of pagesInk ships automatically and the printer must stay online to track usageEpson has introduced a new way for users to access printing, through a subscription model that closely resembles how many people already pay for phones or streaming services.The new ReadyPrint MAX plan offers customers an EcoTank printer along with regular ink deliveries, starting from as low as the equivalent of $7.99 per month for a 50-page plan.The model eliminates the need for upfront costs, making it easier to start printing without a large initial purchase.A constant supply of inkAfter selecting a printer that suits their needs, users choose a page plan based on how much they expect to print. The company sends the printer and keeps track of ink levels remotely, delivering new ink before it runs out.ReadyPrint MAX is compatible with a range of Epson’s EcoTank printers. Models differ in features and price points, covering basic home printing up to higher-volume office use.Options like the EcoTank ET-2870U and ET-M1170 focus on low-cost printing, while others like the ET-5850U and ET-16650U are aimed at users who need faster speeds, higher capacity, or A3 printouts.Plans scale with use, offering monthly allowances from 50 to 3,000 pages. Users can change their plan each month if their needs shift, and once the 18-month commitment ends, subscriptions can continue on a monthly basis.As you might expect, early cancellation fees apply if a user leaves before the minimum period is up, although Epson does offer a 14-day cancellation window at the start.To keep everything running smoothly, the printer needs to stay connected to the internet, allowing firmware updates and ink tracking.Ink is delivered proactively, so users don’t need to worry about ordering refills. If a customer chooses to end the plan, the printer must be returned in good condition to avoid a penalty.ReadyPrint MAX reflects a shift toward service-based models, giving users flexibility in how they access and manage printing at home or in the office. It’s currently offered in select European countries, including the UK and Germany, and is expected to be launched in the USA, which already has ReadyPrint.You might also likeWe've rounded up the best photo printers around todayAnd here are the best home printers on offerHP CEO just let slip a major issue with its printing strategy - and it's going to cost you