9 Jul 2026
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Mike Boland
AWE Talks: Will SPECS Advance Spatial?
AWE USA 2026
Welcome back to AWE Talks, our series that revisits the best AWE conference sessions. With AWE USA recently concluded, there's a fresh batch of stage footage to keep us occupied for weeks.
We continue this latest season of AWE Talks with one of the show's most anticipated talks: Evan Spiegel's SPECS unveiling. You know the story by now... but hearing it straight from Spiegel uncovers new dimension about Snap's intentions for the device.
See the summarized takeaways below, along with the full session video. Stay tuned for more video highlights each week and check out the full library of conference sessions on AWE’s YouTube Channel.
Speakers
Evan Spiegel, Co-founder & CEO, Snap
Key Takeaways & Analysis
- The biggest moment from AWE USA 2026 was arguably the anticipated unveiling of Snap SPECS
- The device was well received by the AWE audience of xpatial influencers and enthusiasts.
- This crowd, advanced in XR perspective, recognized SPECS as a sizable engineering advancement.
- Many of its qualities are yet to be seen, such as the user experience, but some aspects are known.
- For example, the device's size, weight, field of view, and other key specs were specified.
- But beyond those details, an equally-important set of factors lies in SPECS intentions as a device.
- In that light, we learned that SPECS are meant to hit a sweet spot between wearability and capability.
- Spiegel stressed a two-by-two chart with these variables, showing specs at the top right.
- Most devices up until now have occupied other quadrants in that two-by-two construct.
- For example, devices like Magic Leap 2 offer high visual functionality but low wearability.
- Meanwhile, AI smart glasses offer high wearability but low visual functionality and dimension.
- SPECS are meant to be the first XR device that's both highly wearable and highly capable.
- Again, we'll have to wait to see if that promise is fulfilled, but the initial unveiling shows promise.
- In that light, any responsive hot takes about SPECS should be taken with a grain of salt.
- SPECS' true test will come this fall when the device becomes available, and the market will speak.
- SPECS will be given a chance to prove themselves as a device in both UX and wearability
- We'll be waiting with high anticipation for that day... it will be here before we know it.
- Meanwhile. We're pulling for the device as it will advance XR one step further, or many.
For more color and depth, see the full session below...
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