TechCapsules

Samsung's Galaxy Watch series has experienced a 28% year-over-year drop in shipments in Q1 2026, resulting in a decline in market share from 7% to 5%. In contrast, the global smartwatch market grew by 4% during the same period, with competitors such as Apple, Huawei, and Xiaomi seeing gains. Apple Watch shipments increased by 21%, driven by growth in China and Europe, while Huawei and Xiaomi saw 12% and 9% growth, respectively. Samsung's decline comes ahead of [...]

Snap's highly anticipated AR glasses, Specs, had a disappointing debut, with the company's stock plummeting over 5% after the launch. The glasses, which retail at nearly $2,200, have raised concerns about their profitability, particularly given Snap's core user demographic of teenagers who may not have the financial means to afford them. The stock has been struggling, dropping 30% over the past year, and has yet to recover from the announcement. Snap's CEO, Evan Spiegel, defended the price, [...]

Snap has announced its new Specs smart glasses, a wearable computer with augmented reality capabilities, available for preorder at $2,195. The device is expected to ship this fall in the US, UK, and France. Specs aim to move computing beyond phones and computers, with a fully standalone device featuring a 51-degree field of view, hand tracking, and contextual AI assistance. The high price point makes it unlikely to become a mass-market gadget, but it showcases Snap's determination [...]

The Samsung Galaxy XR is now available for pre-order in the UK, with a July 8 release date. The headset, which has received updates to enhance its standalone experience, features a Snapdragon XR+ Gen 2 chip, 4K micro-OLED screen, and up to 2.5 hours of battery life. The device will be priced at £1,699 and will be available at various Samsung experience events across the UK. The Galaxy XR is a tethered experience, designed to work in [...]

Samsung's Galaxy XR headset has arrived in the UK, featuring mixed reality experiences and Gemini-powered AI features. The device was developed in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm, and combines voice, gestures, and visual inputs to interact with digital content. Recent software updates have added deeper integration with Google's ecosystem, including Google Maps and YouTube. The headset also supports Android Enterprise, allowing organisations to manage deployments using existing Android management tools. The Galaxy XR is powered by Qualcomm's [...]

EssilorLuxottica and Applied Materials have formed a long-term partnership to develop intelligent optical systems for augmented reality and AI-powered smart eyewear. The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of smart eyewear technology, potentially shaping future consumer devices. The partnership brings together EssilorLuxottica's expertise in eyewear and Applied Materials' knowledge of materials engineering. This move is significant as it combines the strengths of two industry leaders to drive innovation in smart eyewear. The partnership's outcome may influence the [...]

XREAL Aura, the company's first Android XR glasses, are set to launch this Fall with a price under $1,500. Reservations are now open for $99 or $299, with the final retail price not exceeding $1,500, excluding taxes. The base model is likely to be priced around $1,500, considering the cost of components and the company's existing hardware. XREAL Aura features a wider field-of-view, an included puck with battery and computing smarts, and built-in cameras, making it a [...]

Snap Inc. has launched its new SPECS augmented reality glasses, available in two sizes, with a price tag of $2,195. The smartglasses feature a 51-degree field of view, 16 million colors, and a proprietary LCOS display. SPECS offer up to four hours of battery life and support fast hand tracking, low latency, and responsive interactions. The device can view and interact with AR Lenses anchored directly to the physical world, and an on-board AI assistant provides real-time [...]