AR Spectacles App Blocks Real-World Advertising
A Belgian engineer has devised a way to block adverts in the real world. The innovation arrives as an augmented reality app for smart glasses. No prior system existed for removing real-life branding. The app uses artificial intelligence to spot and conceal commercial imagery. It offers a glimpse of a new era in wearable technology.
The project originates with a software developer based in Belgium. He has created the application for Snap’s fifth-generation AR Spectacles. The tool relies on Google’s Gemini AI to identify promotional content. It then overlays a uniform red square over detected adverts. The blocked elements include billboards, posters, and product logos.
A demonstration video shows the Spectacles in operation. The film captures the lens scanning a high street. The system detects images on pedestrian billboards and street posters. Each advert is replaced by a red placeholder in real time. The effect resembles a live ad-blocker for everyday life.
The recording also shows branded packaging on retail products. Logos on snack wrappers and breakfast boxes vanish instantly. The red plaque covers names in newspapers and magazines. The software responds to moving objects without lag. The result remains consistent across changing light conditions.
The engineer describes the project as being in its infancy. He envisions a future where users can control visible content. He proposes features that allow custom replacements. Users may insert personal images or text notes into blanks. Such options would transform the user experience further.
The application is built from libraries and APIs shared by Snap. It utilises the Depth Cache tools on Snap’s GitHub repository. For now, the service remains exclusive to AR Spectacles. Support for other headsets will depend on future porting. Developers on other platforms must await official releases.
Users of Apple Vision Pro cannot access the app yet. The same applies to Meta Quest devices at present. Both manufacturers have yet to integrate similar APIs. Spectacle owners thus enjoy a unique experience for now. The scene may shift as AR headsets become more open.
Snap has produced AR Spectacles since 2016. The earlier models served as discreet camera glasses. The latest version adds depth sensing and advanced optics. Snap remains committed while rivals pause their projects. The fifth generation is available at $99 per month to developers.
The app prompts reflection on the nature of perception. It raises questions about who controls everyday visuals. It hints at a world where adverts vanish on demand. For now, reality appears normal, interrupted only by red blocks. The long-term impact on public spaces remains to be seen.
