We note Snap, of the US, is recently making aggressive new moves in smartglasses.

First, the Snapchat developer bought WaveOptics, the supplier of AR displays and overlay waveguides that power its new Spectacles glasses, for US$0.5 billion in early May 2021.

The WaveOptics deal is Snap’s biggest ever.

Second, Snap introed this week its new Spectacles AR glasses for select arty types who want to create wearable content with a camera, microphone, AR display, and real-time overlay. They will make videos or photos with a difference.

Shipments of the device are tiny for now, and only available to a small number of creators. It is obviously a beta product.

But Snap is clearly making a long-term bet here... that augmented reality eyewear for social media will go mainstream.

Facebook, Twitter, Weibo, Apple... are you listening?!