For years, Tony Stark’s high-tech glasses were pure movie magic. Now the actor who played him is helping sell the real thing.

On Tuesday, October 20, Snap announced that Robert Downey Jr. has joined Specs, its augmented reality glasses, as honorary Chief Customer Experience Officer. According to Snap’s announcement, he will help people understand and imagine what is possible with the glasses, while also working on new experiences, original content, hardware and in-person events.

What Downey is doing

The first project is a series of original episodes that put Specs to the test, showing how the glasses can help elevate a workspace, practice golf, watch a show and develop artistic skills. The episodes are on the Specs website and YouTube.

The partnership made its TV debut during the Knicks vs. 76ers game on NBA opening night, and Snap says an original episode will air during Game 1 of the World Series on Friday, October 23.

“Trying is believing,” Downey said in Snap’s announcement. “Having tested practically every wearable tech that’s come to market in the last 20 years, and been largely unimpressed, I was absolutely sold on SPECS within 40 seconds.”

The Verge noted that one of the videos shows him dumping a box labeled “AI glasses” into a trash bin, a not-so-subtle jab at Meta’s popular smart glasses.

What Specs actually are

Snap describes Specs as a new kind of computer built into see-through AR glasses. Instead of looking at a screen, you see digital content layered over the real world and control it with your hands and voice. Snap says the computing hardware is built into the glasses themselves, without a separate puck or cable.

Features Snap has highlighted include:

  • A large virtual screen for streaming video, with a travel mode meant to keep it steady on trains and flights.
  • Live translation that shows subtitles when someone speaks another language, with support for 60 languages.
  • Walking directions overlaid on the world around you.
  • Shared games and experiences with people in the same room.
  • Sports and skills lenses, including golf and basketball practice.
  • A virtual workspace that can connect wirelessly to your computer.

Price and availability

Specs cost $2,195 and are available for pre-order with a $200 refundable deposit, according to Snap. Shipping is expected to begin later this fall in the United States, United Kingdom and France. Snap has also announced a version with a cellular charging case, and people in Los Angeles can try Specs in person at a Westfield Century City demo space.

Privacy is part of the pitch

Glasses with cameras always raise privacy questions. Snap says Specs do not use facial recognition, do not continuously record audio or video, and show a prominent LED on the frames when recording is happening. Users choose which apps and data the glasses can access.

Those are company claims, so it is worth reading the privacy details for yourself before buying.

Should you be excited?

AR glasses have been “almost here” for a long time, and Specs are one of the most ambitious attempts yet. A celebrity spokesperson can make the idea feel exciting, but the real test will be comfort, battery life, app quality and whether people want to wear a computer on their face every day.

If you are curious, a few practical tips:

  • Try before you buy if you can, especially for fit and comfort.
  • Check whether the apps you would actually use are available.
  • Read the return policy and privacy settings carefully.
  • Wait for independent reviews once the glasses ship.

The takeaway

Snap is betting that the man who made Iron Man’s tech feel cool can do the same for real AR glasses. With pre-orders open and shipping expected this fall, we will soon find out whether Specs live up to the movie magic.

Image: Still Life of Glasses on MacBook Air with Mouse by Image Catalog via Flickr, CC0 1.0