worldlenses
Latest
Snapchat's Lens Studio helps create your own AR effects
As fun as Snapchat's augmented reality World Lenses can be, there are only so many times you can see a headphone-toting hot dog before you crave something new. Wouldn't it be nice if you could make your own? Well, you can: Snap has unveiled a Lens Studio tool that lets anyone on Mac or Windows create their own AR effects for use in Snapchat. You do need some experience in 3D object creation, but you're otherwise off to the races -- you can submit your masterpiece and give others a Snapcode to unlock it. Those codes only last for 24 hours, unfortunately. However, you can share codes again if you like, and recipients can share them with others and spread the word.
Snapchat's new ad formats are designed to keep you watching
This week, Snapchat debuted two new ad styles meant to engage its users more and encourage less skipping, TechCrunch reports. So far, the app's ads have largely consisted of short videos, which followed the last clip in a Story or were placed throughout Discover content, as well as sponsored Lenses that promoted some sort of product. Now, advertisers will have the option of putting together a Promoted Story or an AR Trial ad.
Snapchat's AR Lenses are the newest tool for ads
Remember Snapchat's dancing 3D hot dog? Well, you might start seeing a few more Lenses like that one because Snap is opening up its 3D World Lenses to advertisers. So far, it has partnered with Warner Bros. and Bud Light to create Lenses featuring the Blade Runner "Spinner" car and a bud light vendor.
Snapchat's new filters make your photo backgrounds look surreal
Snapchat is rolling out some new filters today that go beyond your face. Now, any time the app detects a sky in your picture, "Sky Filters" will show up in the filter carousel. They'll allow you to switch the real sky out for something entirely different including a starry night, a sunset, one with a brewing storm or a sky with rainbows. The filter options will rotate daily.
Snapchat adds augmented reality emoji to your videos
Snapchat has offered a variety of silly, weird (and sometimes racist) filters for a while now. Today, though, Snap is rolling out a few new "world lenses" that have a new trick. You can now place a small group of 3D objects right in your scene and move around them as if they're real-life objects. This expands on the world lenses that the company first revealed back in the fall last year.
