Snapchat's AI Lenses: Cuddling with Virtual Critters!
Hey Snapchatters! Get ready to cuddle with virtual raccoons and bloom with digital bouquets because Snapchat is taking its AI game to a whole new level. They're rolling out generative AI video Lenses, and the results look pretty darn fun.
Imagine seeing yourself snuggling up to a fluffy virtual fox or having a beautiful spring bouquet magically appear in your hands – all within your Snapchat camera. That's the promise of these new Lenses, powered by an in-house generative video model that Snap built themselves. Talk about innovation!
What's Available Right Now?
Snapchat has launched with three initial Lenses:
- Racoon: Adds an animated racoon to your Snap.
- Fox: Cuddle with a virtual fox!
- Spring Flowers: Generates a bouquet of flowers, then zooms out to reveal who's "holding" it. Perfect for sending some digital love.
And the best part? Snap promises they'll be adding new Lenses every week. So, expect a steady stream of fresh, AI-powered fun coming to your Snapchat camera.
Why is Snap Doing This?
Snap is no stranger to augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI). They've been experimenting with these technologies for years. They even added an OpenAI-powered chatbot back in 2023.
"We have a long history of being first movers to bring advanced AR, ML and AI tools directly to our community, and we’re excited to see what Snapchatters create," Snap said in their announcement. That statement highlight's Snap's commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible within its platform.
Remember that AI Video Tool?
Last year, Snap gave us a sneak peek at their AI video-generation capabilities with a tool for creators that allowed them to create videos from text prompts. While it was initially limited to a small group, it definitely hinted at the direction Snap was heading.
Who Gets to Play with the New Lenses?
For now, these shiny new AI video Lenses are exclusive to Snapchat Platinum subscribers – those paying $16 a month for the premium experience. But this early access ensures that Snapchat is continually testing and improving features before they are rolled out to the general public.
Platinum subscribers will find the new Lenses front and center in their Lens carousel. And, because they work with both front and rear cameras, the creative possibilities are endless. Any AI video you create is automatically saved to Memories, making it easy to share with friends, post to your Story, or broadcast to the world via Spotlight.
So, what do you think? Are you ready to dive into the world of AI-powered Snapchat Lenses? Let us know in the comments!
Source: Engadget