AR News and Updates 2016: Are Snapchat Creators Working on Their 'SnapGlasses' Project?
The Snapchat company is heard of hiring 3D designers and computer vision experts that may have something to do with their new project: AR Glasses.
Reports say that revolutionary social media app "Snapchat" is about to release its first hardware - high-tech glasses. The speculation first appeared on CNet back in March this year.
Today, Snapchat already reached 14 billion tablets and smartphones around the globe. It might not take too long for this app to become more handy and produce fast or real-time videos through AR glasses.
Just this week, creators of the app joined the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), a body of technologists focusing on building wireless devices. In fact, Snapchat Chief Executive Officer Evan Spiegel was seen wearing AR glasses while he was on vacation with his girlfriend, Miranda Kerr, last August.
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Snapchat Advances
Users have seen Snapchat's evolution through the years. It took off from just being an app intended for sending photos and videos to users into an app with face-swapping, animated lenses capability and with Bitmoji Support. Just a few months ago, they activated the feature which allows users to upload photos and videos through Discover and Memories channels in the app.
Because it became a hit with the users (even with celebrities), Snapchat found a competition with another widely-used social media app: Instagram. Facebook, who now owns Instagram, says that they are unfazed of copying some of the features. However, CEO Kevin Systrom says that Snapchat deserves all the credit for letting the idea kick in - to allow users upload random events in their daily lives. Thus, the creation of Instagram Stories.
The Instagram app is said to be losing life-casting updates from users for one belief: If a user uploads a picture and does not get the desired number of hearts from followers, the user immediately deletes the photo.
The High-Tech Eyewear
About two years ago, Snapchat secretly bought Vergence Labs for $15 million. This is to obtaina a device called Epiphany Eyewear which was made to record POV videos.
With the talks about Snapchat joining SIG, it might also mean that they are improving Epiphany Eyewear's interface through Bluetooth connectivity. This will enable users to upload Epiphany-captured photos and videos directly to the app – another great idea to free up the eyewear's storage memory.
With all these, it could also mean that the company will be hiring a bunch of technologists who will work their way towards the success of the company's new project. Reports say that they have already hired Dan Stein, one of the key persons behind Google Glass. Right now, they are recruiting top-notch 3D designers and computer vision experts.
