Snap has announced the formation of Specs as a wholly-owned subsidiary, marking a step in positioning the smartglasses business as a distinct entity ahead of its public launch later this year.

The move is designed to provide greater operational focus and alignment, enable new partnerships and capital flexibility, including the potential for minority investment, allow for the development of a distinct brand, and support clearer valuation of the business.

For more than a decade, the company has been working to make computing more human through Specs, a new category of eyewear that integrates digital experiences with the real world.

Specs feature see-through lenses that overlay digital objects in three dimensions, enabling natural interaction through hands and voice.

Developers are already building applications for the platform, spanning learning, gaming, and productivity.

The company positions Specs as an alternative to smartphones and computers that are designed to capture attention and separate users from real-world interactions. Instead, the smartglasses aim to keep users present and connected through shared experiences such as outdoor games, interactive learning, and collaborative design.

The launch also comes at a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping how people use technology. Specs will feature what Snap describes as a first-of-its-kind intelligence system, designed to understand users and their environment to complete tasks on their behalf while prioritising privacy. The company says it is building a computer intended to be used less because it does more.

Over the long term, Snap believes Specs could help reduce waste by replacing certain physical objects with digital alternatives. Tools such as whiteboards, instruction manuals, televisions, and toys could be recreated digitally and shared without additional resource extraction.

Nearly 50 years after the introduction of the Macintosh, the company argues that computing is ready for a new paradigm that prioritises people, strengthens real-world connections, anticipates user needs, and lowers environmental impact.

Snap said it plans to unveil the next generation of Specs later this year and confirmed that it is continuing to expand its team as development progresses.