Snap and LEGO make AR-Lens to build together virtually in Snapchat
Snap and LEGO introduce a jointly designed Connected Lens. It allows Snapchat users to virtually build the same Lego object together, through an augmented reality rendering.
With Snap Connected Lenses, users may or may not use the same AR Lens in the same physical space. As an example, Snap has developed a Connected Lens with Lego, which shows multiple users the same Lego building in a floating position and which they can work on together in real time. This lens will be available for use via the LEGO Group’s Snapchat profile, Snap announced, but there will also be Connected Lenses from other companies.
Snap also mentions during the Snap Partner Summit the arrival of the Memories Layer to Snap Map, to see memories where they happened, but also layers from third parties. The company gives as an example the Ticketmaster Layer, which shows upcoming concerts on the map and provides access to the service to buy tickets. Furthermore, a layer appears to show nearby restaurants. Layers will be available in the coming months.
Creator accounts, which users qualify for if they have a certain number of subscribers, will appear on iOS Story Studio later this year. It allows Creators to extensively edit frame-level videos with subtitles, stickers and effects, and share the result on Snapchat.
Famous Snapchat users, the so-called Snap Stars, will be able to monetize the platform later this year with Gifts, virtual donations from fans through Story Replies. This will be available for Snap Stars on iOS and Android this year.
The number of daily active Snapchat users has grown to 280 million worldwide and 500 million users are active on Snapchat every month. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel announced this at the annual Snap Partner Summit. He cited the United States, France, the United Kingdom and Australia as countries where the service is particularly popular, especially among young people. In these countries, 90 percent of 13 to 24 year olds and 75 percent of 13 to 34 year olds are said to be active on Snapchat.