Snap OS 2.0: New Browser, WebXR & More - Snap Inc.

Snap OS 2.0: Enhanced Software for Snap Spectacles

Snap has recently announced the release of its second iteration of Snap OS, the operating system that powers its augmented reality (AR) glasses, Snap Spectacles. This update introduces several key improvements, including a built-in web browser and support for WebXR technology.

The launch of Snap OS 2.0 follows the distribution of the fifth-generation Snap Spectacles to developers last year. A consumer version of these glasses is anticipated to become available in 2026.

New Features and Improvements

This release is strategically timed just before Meta’s Connect conference, where new advancements in smart glasses, artificial intelligence, and related technologies are expected to be unveiled.

Snap OS 2.0 boasts a significantly faster and more user-friendly browser. The company has focused on optimizing both page loading speeds and power consumption for a smoother user experience.

A redesigned home screen is now included, featuring customizable widgets and convenient bookmark access. An updated toolbar provides options for website URL input via typing or voice command, browsing history navigation, and page refreshing.

Users can now also adjust window sizes within the browser, mirroring the functionality found on traditional laptop computers.

WebXR and Immersive Experiences

The updated browser now incorporates support for WebXR, enabling users to directly access augmented reality experiences from any website compatible with the technology.

A new Spotlight Lens has been introduced, which spatially overlays digital content onto the user’s real-world view. This allows for innovative interactions, such as watching videos while performing everyday tasks.

According to Snap, the vertical orientation of the Spectacles’ display is ideally suited for viewing vertical video content, eliminating the need to look down at a phone. Spotlight can be anchored to a fixed location or configured to follow the user’s movements.

Enhanced Memory Sharing and Travel Mode

A new Gallery Lens simplifies the process of revisiting and sharing captured memories. Users can view their Spectacles recordings in an interactive layout, scroll through a video carousel, and organize their favorite clips before sharing them with friends or posting to their Story.

A Travel Mode feature has also been implemented to stabilize AR content and tracking systems during movement, such as while traveling in a vehicle or airplane.

This ensures a more consistent and reliable AR experience even in dynamic environments.