Augmented & Virtual Reality Confabulation
What Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality developers are talking about
Snappables are new Snapchat games that use facial expressions, motion, and touch to control the game. The games can be sent as Snaps to challenge friends, or to invite friends to a virtual dance party.
The post Snapchat’s new Snappables Lenses are AR games you play with your face appeared first on Digital Trends.
Snapchat have released a new addition to it’s augmented reality (AR) Lenses features which will let advertisers publish sponsored lenses which users will be able to interact with.
Snapchat AR Lenses serve as an extension to Snapchat’s currently existing shoppable ads which allow advertisers to engage with potential customers directly within the app. It was back in 2015 that Snapchat made their machine learning-based Lenses available to users which allowed for different effects to be applied to their face via the camera and then shared across social media. Following this sponsored Lenses were introduced which encouraged users to overlay an advertisement onto their face.
Now, advertisers can include a button to a Lens that will take the user to a website where thy will be able to purchase an associated product. For launch four brands will be rolling out the feature include Clairol, King, STX Entertainment, and Adidas. The button does not just have to be a link to their website though as it can also be set up to play videos or even install an app.
This follows the news that Snapchat Lens Studio will be opening up their development tools to let anyone create their own custom AR Face Lenses. The Lens Studio tool will be open to all and features accessible tools to allow for rapid development and easy publishing. Lens Studio is also adopting GIPHY integration to allow both World and Face Lenses to use animated GIF stickers as well.
The push for new AR interaction with their users is no surprise seeing as last month Snapchat quietly acquired PlayCanvas, a provider of an open-source 3D engine used for virtual reality (VR) and (AR) solutions. The purchase means that Snapchat will be able to leverage PlayCanvas’ platform which might already be the case following these recent announcements.
Though it is unclear how successful the new advertiser focused AR Lenses will be it is sure to be a talking point moving forward. Then again, maybe the success will be measured by how many seflies show up on social media of people wearing their favourite brand.
As Snapchat continue to push their AR Lenses feature and deploy new ways for users to interact with content, VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest so stay tuned for more.
In Ready Player One the main villain wants to fill up to 80% of the users’ field of view with ads. While clearly an exaggeration, the question of how advertisers make money off of VR is still a major question. Once eye-tracking solutions become mainstream it will be possible to track user data at an even more granular level — such as what a user looks at inside of a VR app, and for how long — but until then we’ve got to figure out some workarounds. Luckily, mobile AR is a far less evolved platform.
Since users are still pointing their phones and gazing into smartphone screens to interact with the virtual world, there’s an accessible window to display ads and sell products right there. Snapchat debuted the ability for advertisers to purchase sponsored lenses and frames not long ago — so users would see official logos and brands in their selfies — but now they’re going even further.
In the example above, you can see a woman taking a selfie using a Candy Crush filter that now features a prominent “Install Now” button, enticing the user (and viewers) immediately download and play the game. Imagine a world where you can take a selfie with AR sunglasses sponsored by a major brand and then buy real-life versions of those sunglasses to be shipped to your house all without ever leaving your phone or app. It’s a powerful vehicle.
Where do you think this sort of technology will go next? Let us know what you think down in the comments below!
h/t: TechCrunch
Tagged with: advertising, ar, Snapchat
Snap Inc, the parent company of Snapchat has reportedly acquired British software startup PlayCanvas, providers of 3D and virtual reality (VR) applications on mobile browsers and social media services.
Founded in 2011, PlayCanvas has built an open-sourced videogame engine that powers casual videogames on the likes of Facebook and runs in a number of browsers. The software gives developers the chance to developer and deploy products to a number of platforms along with taking advantage of VR capabilities. A number of companies have leveraged PlayCanvas’ solution including the likes of Disney, Nickelodeon and even the casual videogame developer King. As the engine is based on HTML5 and WebGL, it is a flexible engine that is ideal for developers looking to target mobile and web based platforms.
The news that PlayCanvas has been acquired by Snap Inc comes from the UK financial filings showing the transfer of PlayCanvas shares to Snap Inc which was confirmed last year. Since then a trademark for the PlayCanvas name by Snap Inc has been submitted as well. There is no note of how much Snap Inc paid for the shares.
Snap Inc have been picking up additional companies since last year with the acquisition of French mapping service Zenly for which it paid $213 million (USD) and the Swiss team behind Strong.Codes, which helps to block copycats from replicating code. Now with PlayCanvas, the company has an extra set of tools which they can leverage to fit their needs though, as of now, it is unclear what that could be.
Chinese web giant Tencent took a stake in Snap Inc last November as well to allow for the took companies to work together on mobile gaming. This, alongside the other acquisition, could be the sign of the company looking to introduce gaming into the Snapchat app. That they are looking to make use of the app and provide addition means of augmented reality (AR) experiences. Until Snap Inc make an official statement all we can do is guess but the combination of companies along with the large install of users would make a good starting point for AR products.
VRFocus will be sure to bring you all the latest on this stories as it develops so stay tuned for more.
Snapchat’s parent company Snap’s latest acquisition could mean big things for AR content on the popular app.
Business Insider reports that Snap last year acquired PlayCanvas, a London-based startup with its own game development engine. Interestingly, though, the middleware runs entirely from the web using WebGL, allowing developers to configure 3D assets and entire game worlds without having to download anything. I actually remember seeing the system at work back in 2015 and being impressed by its versatility. The value of the deal has not been revealed.
Obviously, developers aren’t building full games for Snapchat, but the app has been placing increased focus on third-party assets for use in AR of late with the launch of its Lens Studio system (which has been used by groups like We Rate Dogs).
While PlayCanvas’ website doesn’t mention Snap, it does claim that the engine provides the “easiest way to build web-based AR and VR experiences.” Companies like Zynga, King and Nickelodeon have all used the platform in the past.
Tagged with: PlayCanvas, snap, Snapchat
Mit ARCore hat Google im letzten Jahr ein Development Kit veröffentlicht, das die Kamera des Smartphones verwendet, um die Umgebung zu erfassen. Mit dem 1.0 Update, welches nun kurz vor der MWC in Barcelona veröffentlicht wurde, spendiert Google dem Kit einige Verbesserungen. So soll das neue Framework den Raum schneller und zuverlässiger erkennen könne. Zudem lassen sich die erstellten AR-Apps nun auch direkt im Google Play Store veröffentlichen.
Derzeit ist die Funktionalität des SDKs zwar auf sehr wenige Geräte beschränkt (Google Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2,Pixel 2 XL, Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+, Note8, S7, S7 edge, LG V30 and V30+, ASUS Zenfone AR, OnePlus 5), doch wir sollen noch in diesem Jahr neue Smartphones von Samsung, Huawei, LGE, Motorola, ASUS, Xiaomi, Nokia, ZTE, Sony Mobile und Vivo erwarten dürfen, die ebenfalls den ARCore verwenden können.
Mit dem neuen Update soll es nicht nur möglich sein, Objekte korrekt in einen Raum zu stellen, sondern auch über texturierte Oberflächen wie Poster, Bücher, Möbel und ähnliches zu platzieren. Zudem wird auch die Android Studio Beta den ARCore im Emulator unterstützen, damit ein schnelles Testen der App am PC für Entwickler möglich ist.
Die Lens-Applikation wird zwar weiterhin in der Preview-Phase bleiben, jedoch soll sie auch mit anderen Android- und iOS-Geräten arbeiten können und nicht wie bisher nur mit dem Pixel 2 zurechtkommen. Mit Lens lassen sich beispielsweise bekannte Tiere und Pflanzen erkennen oder aus erkannten Texten schnell Termine, Kontakte und ähnliches anlegen.
Um euch ein paar Ideen an die Hand zu geben, hat Google sich einige Developer geschnappt und im Vorfeld mit dem SDK gearbeitet. So wird es Apps geben, mit der ihr eure Wohnung einrichten könnt, mit denen ihr euch einen Porsche in die Garage stellt oder auf große Geisterjagd als Ghost Buster in der eigenen Stadt geht.
Auch eine Kooperation zwischen Snapchat, Google und dem FC Barcelona wird es geben, wobei die Verbindung aus ARCore und Snapchats Lens Engine eine beeindruckende Erfahrung mit 6DOF erlauben soll. Diese und andere Demos werden auf dem Mobile World Congress vorgestellt. Der MWC 2018 öffnet offiziell seine Tore am Montag und dauert bis zum 1. März.
Alle weiteren Informationen zum Update und wie ihr mit Unity die Entwicklung startet, erfahrt ihr auf dem Blog der Engine.
Jetzt fehlt uns nur noch die passende AR-Brille, damit wir nicht ständig unser Smartphone in der Hand halten müssen, um auf die Anwendungen zuzugreifen.
(Quelle: VR Scout)
Der Beitrag Google ARCore 1.0: Full Release mit neuen Möglichkeiten zuerst gesehen auf VR∙Nerds. VR·Nerds am Werk!
The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition is its own institution, but like much of print media in the modern world, it risks losing relevance in a digital age. Enter SnapChat, Trigger and the Mixed Reality Agency, who are turning the Swimsuit Edition into an augmented reality (AR) experience.
Sports Illustrated say that the latest Swimsuit Edition of Sports Illustrated is the most immersive experience ever produced by the company.
The issue will feature exclusive AR experiences, such as a 3D hologram of this year’s cover model, to portals that let readers walk on to the set of an SI Swimshoot photo shoot. Also featured will be an exclusive ‘behind the scenes’ virtual reality (VR) experience.
The immersive content can be viewed by using the LIFE VR mobile app available on iOS and Android, or through the LIFE VR Samsung Gear VR channel and LIFE VR Windows Mixed Reality app.
Sports Illustrated are also celebrating the launch of the 2018 Swimsuit Edition by working with SnapChat to produce a custom ‘World Lens’. This lens lets readers get a feel of what it’s like to be a cover model by letting them put themselves on the cover.
In order to unlock the special World Lens, users will need to focus the camera on the ‘Snapcode’ then press and hold on the screen. The snapcode will unlock the lens for a 24 hour period.
SnapChat and Sports Illustrated have been working together since 2016 to bring SnapChat users access to behind the scenes features for the Swimsuit Edition. In partnership with the Mixed Reality Agency, SI used Snap#s recently released Lens Studio in order to create the AR features for the 2018 issue, one of the first major publishers to use Lens Studio in this way.
Further news on new and upcoming VR and AR experiences will be right here on VRFocus.
Ringing someone using a landline? Old school. Text messaging? Retro. Skype video calls? What is this, 2008? No, the future of digital communication is much more advanced than such old fashioned technology; the future is most definitely communication using augmented reality (AR). As such, Snaappy is here to pave the way for the future of AR chatting – or so they hope.
Snaappy claim to be the first and only mobile application to seamlessly combine AR tech with a commincations platform. A bold claim, one I’m sure Snapchat would like to have a word with, but Snaappy is nevertheless boastful and confident with its claims.
Using Snaappy, you can express your emotions digitally with 3D animated characters, just by placing them on texts, images, audio clips or videos. You can even see what your friends and family are typing in real time, so there’s no delay in seeing messages – a dangerous feature, to be sure.
Snaappy’s website certainly talks the talk, and even features multiple five star reviews from users, which have insightful anecdotes such as; “Awesome! Cool! Love it!! You don’t need to wait for some to send the message… You can watch him typing literally!!!” from Ashish Dodaman, and; “Its an awesome, cool freaking app! U guyzzz are awesome.” from Aryan Motu.
Snaappy has multiple characters for you to use in your messages, which for some reason all look like the same slightly scary bear. We have Snaappy himself, the main bear, Scott the Cat, Snaappa – that’s Snaappy’s girlfriend, obviously – and Lola, who also looks like Snaappy, but is a “glamorous beauty and true society hostess” so that’s a thing.
Below you can see the trailer for Snaappy in action, where you can see Snaappy and his pals sort of dance about in real places using the magic of AR. At one point he even seems to be hustling some fools in an alleyway with some cups, so he’s certainly enterprising.
You can download Snaappy for iOS and Android devices now, but a web version is in development too. Let us know what you think of Snaappy in the comments below, and stay on VRFocus for everything on Snaappy and his pals.
Lens Studio is a new Mac and Windows desktop app from Snap Inc. for creating, publishing, and sharing augmented reality objects and experiences in Snapchat, as overlays known as ‘Lenses’. The free software has several templates for getting started, and advanced tools for experienced users and professionals.
Image messaging app Snapchat first incorporated camera-based AR with the ‘Lenses’ feature in 2015, which enabled dramatically enhanced selfies using facial tracking. A major update in April 2017 expanded this to the environment in the form of ‘World Lenses’, making use of smartphones’ rear facing cameras to place virtual objects into live, real-world video capture. This form of smartphone-based AR has been bolstered by the introduction of Apple’s ARKit and Google’s ARCore SDKs for iOS and Android, respectively.
Snapchat World Lens content was previously limited to Snap Inc’s own updates and promotional tie-ins, but with Lens Studio it is now possible for anyone to start creating their own World Lens objects and environments (selfie Lens creation is not currently supported), as explained in the announcement on the official site.
“Whether you’re just starting to dabble in 2D animation or are a professional artist interested in creating your own experiences, Lens Studio makes sharing your creation with the world fast and fun!” writes Team Snap. “With the launch of Lens Studio, we’re excited to make Lenses more accessible to creators, and experiences within Snapchat more personal and diverse.”
The new Lens Studio site provides an overview of the software’s capabilities, as well as thorough guides and templates for getting started, all the way through to optimising and submitting your Lens for approval.
Lens Studio supports FBX and OBJ 3D model formats; the guide suggests those without access to modelling software like Maya or 3ds Max can grab assets from Sketchfab or Poly. For more experienced creators, it also explains the advanced scripting features enabled by the API. Once submitted, a unique Snapcode can be shared (digitally or printed on packaging, stickers, clothing, etc.) for anyone to unlock your Lens in Snapchat.
This is another indication that Snap Inc. intends to be a global force in augmented reality, but it has strong competition, as Facebook also just launched their AR Studio in open beta. Last year, Snap Inc. hired Hollywood effects artist Raffael Dickreuter as a “Concept and Augmented Reality Designer”, and CEO Evan Spiegel was seen wearing ‘prototype AR glasses’ soon after the company acquired Vergence Labs. The resulting Spectacles glasses, launched in November 2016, was seen as the first step towards augmented reality glasses, though function only as a wearable camera for now.
The post Snapchat Launches Lens Studio for Making AR ‘Lenses’ appeared first on Road to VR.
Snapchat are seeking to turn their dipping fortunes around by partnering with car manufacturer BMW to launch augmented reality (AR) adverts on the platform in an attempt to introduce a new revenue stream.
Advertisements are something of a contentious issue, with many users strongly resenting their intrusion into content, particularly among customers who are faced with stringent data caps. SnapChat are hoping to sidestep this issue by blending together advertising and content.
SnapChat users have long been able to apply AR filters to photos, with Snap CEO Evan Spiegel claiming that the company had created ‘the world’s first AR superstar’ with its animated AR hotdog. SnapChat also partnered with artist Jeff Koons to allow SnapChat users to view a series of AR sculptures in various locations around the world.
The latest partnership is based on SnapChat’s World Lens ads, which allow users to interact with AR objects as if they were in the real world. In this instance, allowing users to walk around a BMW car, tap the screen to interact with it, or change the colour.
Jörg Poggenpohl of BMW said of the AR advertising campaign that BMW: “wanted to insert [itself] in an organic way into the Snapchat environment and its users’ world,” Research suggested that, “This would be the most meaningful way to address [its] fans in a style that fits the channel and the target group.”
SnapChat has seen a significant slowing of its growth, with revenue down by $30 million (USD) on expected projections, and a fall in stock value last quarter. Though SnapChat remains popular, the company is experiencing problems turning that popularity into a significant revenue stream.
Nor is SnapChat alone is trying to leverage AR technology to create engaging adverts, with companies such as OmniVirt also working on partnering with various major brands to monetise AR content and bring AR adverts to consumers.
VRFocus will bring you further news on SnapChat and AR advertising as it becomes available.