Snapchat is a social media platform with world-wide users, famous for its face filters. Recently, the company announced some exciting new initiatives, such as the AR mirror, a giant phone screen showing AR apps. Snap’s goal is to bring more instances of augmented reality into the everyday world, as AR glasses have not yet gone mainstream. Augmented reality on phones has been around for over five years, but it still hasn’t gained a large audience. Therefore, Snap has taken actions, such as integrating AR filters into live sporting events broadcast cameras, concert and festival apps, to make people more aware of what is possible with AR.
Apple, Google, Samsung, and Qualcomm are all in the process of aligning to develop products utilizing AR technology. According to Snap, using AR for shopping can actually lead to more sales and a deeper connection to a product. In addition, Snap has partnered with Live Nation to use AR to bring visual effects to concerts, which give the audience a more immersive and social experience. Already, music and AR have been used in concert apps like Google’s Gorillaz collab and it looks like that trend is only getting more popular. Plus, Snap has enabled more apps and services to have access to its AR lenses, much like OpenAI with its generative AI. Eventually, having AR everywhere might be the norm, just like voice assistants now.
Sophia Dominguez, the director of AR Partnerships at Snap, spoke of the goal of making AR a secondary layer that provides value and utility in people’s lives. With Snap’s recent moves into live music and shopping, it looks like they may be well on their way.
