Everything You Should Know About the Spectacles Lens Fund & More!

With Snapchat’s brand-new AR glasses debuting less than a couple of months ago, there’s a whole new digital world to explore. For AR developers, it’s an exciting chance to level up your skills in Lens Studio and experiment with the latest in wearable AR technology.

Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just getting started, now is the perfect time to get hands-on with the new Spectacles, uncover their capabilities, and take your AR development journey to the next level. It’s your chance to get a behind-the-scenes look at Snapchat’s AR vision, learn how to make the most of these powerful tools, and get inspired to create unforgettable AR experiences.

Let’s explore Snap’s vision for Spectacles, new developer program, Spectacles Lens Fund, and more directly from the source – the Spectacles Team. ⤵️

Imagine we’re in the (hopefully near) future where Spectacles are already being sold to end-users. How do you think people will use them? What types of experiences, Lenses or apps do you think will make consumers buy or use Spectacles?

Snap’s Spectacles Team

Since we launched Spectacles less than two months ago, we’re learning about how our community is integrating Spectacles into their daily life. That’s why we are starting with AR developers and hobbyists – they are the people who will likely start experimenting with incorporating Lenses we have shipped and new Lenses built by the community in their lives.

That being said, we know that Lenses shine in situations where people want to intentionally spend time learning something new, spatially. There are Lenses that analyze how a task is performed and provide feedback in real time, like the basketball Lens that tracks the number of shots you make while playing a real game of basketball.

We are also excited to help people have fun together in interactive shared AR experiences where multiple people in the same space can see and interact with the same AR content at the same time.. And over time, we expect people will find value in productivity features that help complement existing workflows like using the Spectacles browser or layout while working at a desk to view content in space.

We are really excited about the potential Spectacles Lenses have for intentional interactions around playing, learning, and getting things done.

What type of Lenses would you like to see built by Lens Studio developers for Spectacles right now?

Snap’s Spectacles Team

We have provided a lot of capabilities to help developers build great experiences. There are a few things that we would like to see developers experiment with in their Lenses:

➡️ Bring multiple people into a shared experience using Connected Lenses

➡️ React to the user’s actions and environment and using the Spectacles Interaction Kit, a toolkit for composing interactive UIs and making virtual objects interactable

➡️ Leverage the phone by using the custom mobile controller

➡️ Turn everyday objects into interactive parts of an experience like using SnapML for real-time object tracking

➡️ Leverage generative AI where LLMs can enhance the experience

We believe that by combining these capabilities across Lenses that help people learn, have fun, and get things done will unlock a lot of value for our community.

Can developers outside the US be part of the Spectacles Developer Program?

Snap’s Spectacles Team

Yes, we recently expanded the Spectacles Developer Program to developers based in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, and Spain, and we’ll launch in additional markets in 2025.

We encourage you to apply for access via Spectacles.com. By doing so, you’ll be on our radar when we’re ready to extend availability to developers in your region.

Can one team submit more than one idea?

Snap’s Spectacles Team

We encourage teams to submit as many ideas as they would like. There are no limits to the number of submissions per team, so feel free to share all your innovative concepts with us.

What factors influence the amount of funding for a submitted project? And what type of Lenses or products are you looking to fund – big or small?

Snap’s Spectacles Team

The amount of funding varies widely based on factors like product or project vision, size, scope, milestones, and timeline. Whether your product is large or small, we encourage you to submit it, as the most important factors are the clarity of your vision and ability to execute.

Is Spectacles Lens Fund limited to the US only? Or now to countries included in the Spectacles Developer Program?

Snap’s Spectacles Team

The Spectacles Lens Fund is open to developers globally. You are more than welcome to submit your ideas, regardless of your location.

We’re working hard to expand the availability of Spectacles internationally and will keep you informed as that happens. In the meantime, we look forward to seeing your submissions!

Will the funded team receive Spectacles? If not, can teams submit a project if they don’t have Spectacles?

Snap’s Spectacles Team

If you’re a developer or part of a team with an idea for a Lens project, you should apply to the Lens Fund, regardless of your location or current availability of the Spectacles Developer Program subscription in your country. Funded developers will be able to access Spectacles.

Is there any submission deadline for the Spectacles Lens Fund?

Snap’s Spectacles Team

There is no fixed deadline for submissions as we review on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply when your product or project vision is ready to be reviewed.

The world of AR is constantly evolving, and with Snapchat’s new Spectacles and the Spectacles Developer Program, there are endless possibilities for those ready to innovate. From shared AR experiences and real-time feedback to productivity tools and immersive learning Lenses, this is your chance to be at the forefront of AR development.

The support doesn’t end with the hardware; the Spectacles Lens Fund and Developer Program empower creators globally, giving them access to resources, funding, and the latest tech tools to turn ambitious ideas into reality. Whether you’re just starting out or bringing years of experience, your creativity could help define the future of Spectacles and AR itself.