Snap unveils first augmented reality-based Spectacles

Written By Warehouse Automation

The Spectacles will have dual 3D waveguide displays that will allow wearers to overlay the company's augmented reality filters, called Lenses, onto the real world

Snapchat parent Snap Inc unveiled its first augmented reality-based Spectacles at the company's annual partner summit, ahead of rivals Facebook and Apple.

The Spectacles will have dual 3D waveguide displays that will allow wearers to overlay the company's augmented reality filters, called Lenses, onto the real world. It will also feature four built-in microphones, two stereo speakers, two cameras and built-in touchpad controls. It will also be fully integrated with Lens Studio, the company's desktop application used to build and distribute augmented reality lenses on Snapchat.

That said, these Spectacles are not up for sale as yet. Instead, the company is providing them to an undisclosed number of augmented reality creators through an online application programme. Snap Inc chief executive Evan Spiegel said these glasses can currently be used for about 30 minutes at a time, indicating that they are probably not ready for mass market at present.

Rival Facebook is also partnering with Ray-Ban maker Luxottica to debut its own pair of smart glasses later this year, although they won't feature any AR displays.

New creator tools & monetisation

Snap launched a new standalone app Story Studio that offers creators powerful editing tools to make professional vertical videos on their mobile phones. The app will debut on iOS platform later this year and will also provide insights into trending sounds, topics and lenses on Snapchat.

Snap Inc's short video offering Spotlight is getting a web destination that will enable creators and brands to upload video directly from a desktop browser like Chrome and Safari onto the platform. It will also allow users to watch Spotlight content without a Snapchat account.

Snap, which has been paying creators $1 million per day for top-performing videos on Spotlight, announced that over 5,400 creators have collectively earned more than $130 million dollars since November last year. The company however will stop providing this payout from June 1, 2021, and will instead offer "millions every month".

Snap has also introduced gifting that lets users buy the app's virtual currency Snap Tokens and send them as a gift to verified creators. The company said creators will earn a share of the revenue generated, although it didn't disclose any specific details on how it plans to split the revenue. The feature is expected to be rolled out on Android and iOS later this year.

Earlier this month, the social media firm had announced a creator marketplace, that lets brands find and contact verified creators. The marketplace, which launched on Thursday, will initially feature top AR Lens creators and will showcase prominent Snapchat creators (Snap Stars) and Spotlight creators in the future.

New developer tools

Apart from this, Snap also announced new developer products and partnerships across its Snap Kit, Games, Minis and Bitmoji platforms. A new product Sticker Kit gives developers access to over 34 million Bitmoji, Stickers, and GIFs through a single interface.

Snapchat users will see personalised map layers from select businesses that will overlay information on the map in the coming months. The company claimed that more than 250 million Snapchat users are currently using the map platform on a monthly basis, and there are more than 30 million businesses on its map platform.

The ephemeral messaging app is making it easier to access games and its mini apps by swiping down on the Snapchat Camera. A partnership with Unity will allow game developers to offer Bitmoji into their mobile, desktop, and console games.

A revamped Lens Studio will enable developers to build more robust lenses across categories like gaming, education, and shopping. It will also feature Connected Lenses that will let friends interact with each other through lenses. Lego Group has built the first connected lens that lets users collaboratively build with Lego bricks on Snapchat.

Screenshop, a new feature under Snapchat's computer vision-based utility Scan, provides shopping recommendations from hundreds of brands when users scan an outfit from their friends. It will also soon provide recipe recommendations based on the ingredients in front of the user, powered by Allrecipes. Scan functionality, which is currently being used by more than 170 million Snapchat users, is also getting more prominent placement in the app's main camera screen.

These features are part of the company's broader attempt at surfacing relevant lens experiences to its users based on their surroundings.

Warehouse Automation
Previous

Gorillas, the ultra-fast delivery operator from Germany, making its US debut in New York City
Next

Target Grows Online Sales 50% in Q1