On Sept. 17, Snapchat held its annual Snap Partner Summit at the Barker Hanger in Los Angeles. With numerous announcements related to the app’s interface, augmented reality (AR) tools, and artificial intelligence (AI) features coming out of the event, it’s clear Snapchat is having a facelift.
‘Simple Snapchat’
Firstly, and most importantly, Snapchat is revamping its core app. It’s shifting its interface to something called ‘Simple Snapchat.’ This interface will prioritize three things: snapping, chatting, and video-watching.
To help with video-watching, Snapchat is planning to combine ‘Spotlight’ clips (short-form videos from brands and the wider Snap community) and ‘Stories’ into a single vertical video feed. The feed will be algorithmic and tailored to users’ interests and previous watching. Sound familiar?
Snapchat joins a long line of apps that have TikTokified themselves in order to get a taste of the vertical video success. With TikTok fighting for its life in the US in court, this gamble might pay off.
Snap announces AI and AR features
Secondly, and perhaps inevitably, is a host of new AI features. Snapchat announced that it was partnering with OpenAI to integrate AI tools that can assist with practical tasks like translating menus in other languages or explaining complicated traffic signs in Snap posts.
The platform is also exploring features like a photo carousel generator called “AI Memories,” which will add captions and lenses and act as “personal creative director” to Snapchat’s Memories function.
Moreover, Snapchat will also enable AI-generated videos from text or image prompts. These videos will be labeled accordingly with context cards and icons that indicate the content is AI-generated.
Generative AI will also be introduced to Snapchat’s “Lens Studio,” which will allow creators to make AI-based lenses.
In addition, during the Summit, Snap announced a new version of “Spectacles,” aka eyeglasses that feature AR capabilities. Numerous brands, like Disney, Lego, and Niantic are also developing content for Spectacles, Snap claims.
“VR headsets are like sticking a laptop to your face. They’re isolating, make you feel motion sick, they’re really heavy, and they can be uncomfortable,” Snap CEO Evan Spiegel said. “But AR glasses allow you to see the real world through Lenses. They allow you to share experiences together with your friends and family, and they’re lightweight and wearable.”
