Snap Unveils Snap OS 2.0 with Native Browser and WebXR Support
Snap has announced the release of Snap OS 2.0, the latest iteration of the operating system powering its augmented reality (AR) glasses, Snap Spectacles. This update introduces a native browser optimized for speed and power efficiency, alongside WebXR support that enables immersive AR experiences directly through compatible websites.
The launch follows Snap’s rollout of the fifth-generation Spectacles aimed at developers last year, with a consumer model anticipated in 2026. The timing precedes Meta’s Connect conference, where competing advancements in smart glasses and AI are expected.
Enhanced Browser and User Interface
Snap OS 2.0 features a redesigned browser with significant performance improvements. Users can expect faster page loads and reduced power consumption, facilitating smoother navigation. The browser supports window resizing akin to laptop environments, enhancing multitasking capabilities on the AR device.
A revamped home screen now includes widgets and bookmarks, while an updated toolbar allows users to input URLs via typing or voice, navigate browsing history, and refresh pages with ease.
WebXR and Spotlight Lens
WebXR integration marks a notable advancement, allowing Snap Spectacles users to access AR content seamlessly through WebXR-enabled websites. Complementing this, the Spotlight Lens feature spatially anchors video content within the user’s physical environment. This enables activities such as watching vertical-format videos while performing tasks like washing dishes, leveraging the portrait-oriented field of view of the Spectacles.
Snap highlights that Spotlight can be anchored in a fixed location or set to follow the user’s movements, enhancing flexibility and engagement.
Gallery Lens and Travel Mode
The update also introduces a Gallery Lens, which provides an interactive carousel for viewing and organizing captured videos. Users can easily select favorites to share with friends or post to their Story, streamlining content management.
Addressing mobility challenges, Travel Mode stabilizes AR content and tracking when users are in motion, such as in vehicles or airplanes, improving the reliability of AR experiences on the go.
FinOracleAI — Market View
Snap’s Snap OS 2.0 release strengthens its ecosystem by enhancing usability and AR capabilities ahead of its consumer Spectacles launch. The native browser and WebXR support expand the platform’s content accessibility, potentially increasing user engagement. However, competition from Meta and other AR device makers presents execution risks. Market participants should watch for consumer adoption rates and developer uptake of the new features as key indicators of Snap’s AR growth trajectory.
Impact: positive
