(Image credit: Future)
Augmented World Expo (AWE) has evolved rapidly into one of the biggest shows for seeing the future of virtual reality, smart glasses, and spatial computing. This year's edition gave us some truly showstopping news with earth-shaking announcements from Snap, Qualcomm, and many more.It really feels like we're getting to the point where the lines of VR headset and smart glasses are starting to blur into one device that gives you all the performance of a big set of goggles — crammed into something the size of specs.And while there were some key headline announcements, the core DNA of small innovations that will change the face of spatial computing remained strong beneath the surface. We were able to go hands-on with several products here, and now it's time to pick the cream of the crop. Here are our picks for the best of AWE 2026.Best of show: Snap Specs
(Image credit: Future)Snap's iPhone moment is here. The Snap Specs are official, and they're far beyond any other standalone glasses you've seen in terms of capability. This is what happens when you combine the tech of the best VR headsets with the portability of the best smart glasses.The end result is more than just a technologically advanced set of frames; it is a new paradigm in computing — moving it away from being a tool that takes you out of the world to a form that gets out of the way. They're a bit chunky, but the design around this hefty tech makes them look kinda stylish!They've worked with developers for years with prototype hardware, and with over 5 million lenses ready to use, from measuring things in free space to augmented guides on complex real-world tasks like fixing a car, and much more.Will Specs stick the landing? That's the ultimate question of these $2,195/£1,995 glasses. That's a high price to pay, making them much more targeted towards the early adopters in this space. Time will tell what happens to these glasses in the future, but we genuinely just witnessed a breakthrough moment in AR.Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.Jason EnglandBest chip: Snapdragon Reality Elite
