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Snap

All articles tagged with #snap

politics8 days ago•15 min saved

GOP’s child-health gamble: vaccine rollbacks, nutrition cuts, and shrinking coverage

Michael Hiltzik argues that Republican policy moves, led by RFK Jr., undermine child health by first rolling back vaccine recommendations and enabling misinformation, then cutting nutrition programs like WIC and SNAP, and tightening Medicaid/ACA access. The result is higher disease risk (measles outbreaks), increased iron-deficiency anemia, and fewer children with insurance, all framed as fiscal discipline rather than anti-child policy. The piece also notes reduced state reporting on vaccination rates, which could mask the full impact, and contrasts these policy choices with rhetoric about family values.

via Los Angeles Times|

#child-health #medicaid #politics

government12 days ago•2 min saved

Michigan bets $37.5M to curb SNAP errors as federal penalties loom

Michigan is spending $37.5 million to reduce SNAP payment errors (FY2024 error rate about 9.53%, FY2025 9.89%), aiming for the 6% federal target to avoid a potential $300 million penalty in FY2028. Funds are allocated to an ad campaign, IT upgrades, staffing, and a McKinsey contract, though the state has not shared SNAP data with the federal government; MDHHS leadership is also undergoing a change, with Elizabeth Hertel leaving and Amy Epkey set to replace her.

via Michigan Capitol Confidential|

#error-rate #federal-aid #government

policy16 days ago•12 min saved

USDA Sets FY2025 SNAP Payment Rules to Curb Waste

USDA announced FY2025 SNAP payment error rates, with a national rate of 10.62%—above the 6% threshold—leading to state accountability measures: states at or above 6% could owe 5%, 10%, or 15% of benefits and must submit a corrective action plan; the report cites about $10.1 billion in improper payments nationwide and ties the rules to new guardrails under H.R. 1.

via USDA (.gov)|

#corrective-action-plan #fy2025 #payment-error-rates

technology17 days ago•4 min saved

Snap Specs Prove AR Glasses Can Be More Hype Than Help

At Cannes Lions, a reporter tests Snap’s AR glasses, Snap Specs, which overlay AI-generated celebrity portraits onto paintings. The experience is heavy (132 grams, $2,195), clunky (it stops if you move your head), and largely mirrors long-standing museum-brand demos rather than a practical product. AI face replacements and overlaid visuals feel surface-level and imperfect, while privacy concerns loom. Investors are skeptical, and the overall takeaway is that the glasses are expensive, uncomfortable, and largely unconvincing as a real-world device.

via 404 Media|

#augmented-reality #gadget-review #privacy-concerns

technology17 days ago•12 min saved

Snap's AR Glasses: Bold Bet or Expensive Gamble?

Snap’s SPECS AR glasses aim to usher in a new era of wearable AI, but their bulky design and $2,195 price tag make mainstream adoption uncertain, especially against lighter, cheaper rivals like Meta’s Ray‑Ban glasses. If SPECS catches on, they could reboot Snap’s fortunes; if not, the move risks being a costly gamble with limited near-term stock upside.

via Yahoo Finance|

#augmented-reality #consumer-electronics #snap

us-news18 days ago•78 min saved

Court Keeps SNAP Dollars Eligible for Candy and Sugary Drinks, Sparking Policy Debate

A federal judge ruled that SNAP benefits may be used to purchase candy and sugary drinks, preserving the program’s broad eligibility and fueling ongoing policy debates over funding and administration.

via AP News|

#food-assistance #politics #public-health

politics18 days ago•184 min saved

Court blocks five-state SNAP bans on sugary drinks and candy purchases

A federal judge blocked five states from enforcing waivers that would have prohibited SNAP purchases of sugary drinks and candy, ruling the USDA lacked authority to approve such pilot restrictions. The decision, while addressing legality rather than policy merit, stops the bans for now and underscores the regulatory guardrails governing SNAP.

via CNN|

#candy #federal-judge #health-policy

politics19 days ago•5 min saved

Judge voids SNAP junk-food pilots, upsetting MAHA’s health agenda

A federal judge struck down state SNAP pilot programs intended to limit purchases of junk foods like soda and candy, ruling the Agriculture Department misapplied federal law. The decision affects Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, Tennessee, and West Virginia and threatens MAHA’s Make America Healthy Again health-push by undermining caps on what SNAP funds can buy.

via Politico|

#food-assistance #health #law

politics19 days ago•17 min saved

GOP Farm Bill Draft Omits Democrats' SNAP Cost-Share Delay

Senate Agriculture Chair Boozman’s farm bill discussion draft advances without conceding Democrats' demand to delay the shift of some SNAP costs to states, jeopardizing bipartisan support; Democrats vow to oppose a bill that doesn’t push back on the cost-share change, while Boozman notes openness to discussion but cites budget concerns; a markup is planned after the July 4 recess, and lawmakers from both parties are weighing amendments as the House version mirrors several provisions and aims for a quick path to final passage.

via Politico|

#boozman #cost-share #democrats

business21 days ago•5 min saved

MAHA SNAP Rules Push Brands to Reformulate as Benefits Shrink

SNAP waivers in 23 states restricting purchases for about one-third of recipients could trim food-and-beverage sales by up to $830 million this year as shoppers switch to allowed items or cut back; major brands (Hershey, Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Nestle, General Mills) are measuring shopper response and accelerating reformulations to remove artificial dyes amid MAHA’s push to curb synthetic colors and SNAP purchases; Iowa has codified MAHA provisions, signaling a broader shift that could tighten access to sugar-sweetened beverages and candy, even as some executives expect a muted impact and retailers remain exposed to SNAP spending shifts.

via CNBC|

#artificial-dyes #business #consumer-behavior

society22 days ago•2 min saved

Walmart EBT haul video stirs online debate on public benefits

An X-posted TikTok video shows a woman dancing in a Walmart checkout after an alleged $3,000 SNAP/EBT purchase; the $3,000 amount is unverified by the Daily Dot, and the clip has sparked online debate about public assistance, eligibility, and the challenges faced by beneficiaries, with commenters noting that social media posts often lack full context about household size and needs.

via The Daily Dot|

#debate #ebt #snap

technology23 days ago•20 min saved

Snap's $2,195 AR glasses reportedly backed by a $500M development bill, analyst says

A Guggenheim analyst estimates Snap invested about $500 million in developing its new standalone AR Spectacles, which are priced at $2,195. The note suggests large upfront costs with potential long-term leadership in wearable AR, but investors have driven the stock lower as the company awaits details on cost structure and demand potential.

via Yahoo Finance|

#analyst #ar-glasses #snap

technology23 days ago•11 min saved

Snap's pricey Specs AR glasses spark mixed reactions, shares dip

Snap’s new Specs self-contained AR glasses, priced at $2,195, drew mixed online reactions and contributed to about a 4% drop in SNAP, as investors weighed the high price and bulk against Meta’s cheaper Ray-Ban Display. Specs offer dual-lens displays and built-in audio with no external device, signaling progress in AR wearables despite a pricey, bulky design. The beat goes on as competitors like XReal, Samsung, Google, and Apple push AR glasses, while IDC notes growing shipments of smart glasses, indicating market expansion beyond Snap’s launch.

via Yahoo Finance|

#ar-glasses #augmented-reality #snap

technology24 days ago•6 min saved

Snap Bets on Spatial AR with Consumer Specs Glasses at $2,195

Snap ambushes the AR glasses race with a consumer version of its Specs, priced at $2,195 and pitched for spatial apps rather than a simple heads-up display. The 132g headset comes in two sizes, uses electrochromic lenses, and relies on hand tracking with ultra-low latency (7 ms) rather than a phone for computing, with about 4 hours of battery life (20 hours with a charging case). Apps will come from Snap’s Lens Studio, but details on launch apps were not shared; the glasses are slated to ship this fall and require a $200 refundable deposit to secure a unit.

via Gizmodo|

#ar-glasses #augmented-reality #snap

technology24 days ago•9 min saved

Snap's Specs AR Glasses Debut at $2,195 with 4-Hour Battery Life

Snap today unveiled Specs, a premium AR glasses system priced at $2,195 (with a $200 refundable deposit) that packs two Snapdragon chips, dual color and infrared cameras, 6-axis IMUs, and a 51° field of view into lightweight frames. The glasses use LCoS projectors for the display, include stereo speakers and a mic array, offer hand tracking and voice control, and support prescription lenses. They can connect via USB-C to display from a computer or phone, and run Lens Studio with AI APIs from OpenAI and Gemini. Battery life is up to four hours with a charging case providing about 20 hours of use. Pre-orders are open and shipping is planned for this fall in the US, UK, and France, as Snap pitches Specs against ongoing AR efforts from rivals like Apple.

via MacRumors|

#ar-glasses #augmented-reality #awe-usa-2026