Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, is expanding its AI tools for creators by introducing several new features at its annual Snap Partner Summit. One of the key announcements was Easy Lens, a tool that allows users to create Snapchat Lenses by simply describing them in plain English. The tool, available in Snap’s developer platform Lens Studio, uses generative AI to turn text descriptions into 3D effects, characters, and transformations for photos and videos. Additionally, Snap introduced Body Morph, a tool for creating 3D characters and outfits from text or images, along with new image generators and hundreds of new Bitmoji animations.
Snap also introduced the fifth generation of Spectacles, their new standalone AR glasses powered by the innovative Snap OS. These lightweight, see-through glasses allow users to experience AR Lenses in the real world while interacting with friends in new ways. The Spectacles Developer Program offers developers access to the hardware and Snap OS, with tools like the new Spectacles app enabling features such as using your phone as a controller or spectator mode for friends without Spectacles. Spectacles are packed with cutting-edge hardware, including four cameras, a Snap Spatial Engine for hand tracking, and proprietary LCoS micro-projectors that produce sharp images. Their advanced waveguides allow users to see AR visuals without the need for complex calibrations, and the dual Snapdragon processors provide efficient performance with reduced power consumption. The glasses also feature a 46-degree diagonal field of view and automatic tinting for both indoor and outdoor environments.
Snap also announced a new AI-powered video-generation tool, currently in beta for select creators, that will allow users to generate videos from text prompts, with plans to extend to image prompts in the future. All AI-generated content will feature watermarks to ensure transparency when AI is used. This move sets Snap ahead of competitors like TikTok and Instagram, which have yet to release similar AI video-generation features, though Snap faces competition from companies like Runway, OpenAI, and Adobe, who also plan to release their own AI video tools.
Snap CEO Evan Spiegel highlighted the transformative impact of generative AI on the platform, emphasizing its role in driving creator growth. The number of creators publishing Lenses on Snapchat has risen to 375,000, with over 4 million Lenses now available across various platforms. Snap continues to innovate with AI, aiming to enhance user experiences and provide creators with more powerful tools to bring their ideas to life.
