Snapchat

“Turtle Power” meets AR power.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is officially in theaters and so far fans and critics alike can’t get enough of Seth Rogan’s take on the pizza-loving crime-fighting team. The animated motion picture currently has a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and performing well at the box office.

To help keep that momentum going, Paramount Pictures has partnered with the popular social media app, Snapchat, on a new augmented reality (AR) Lens that lets you step into the shoes (shells?) of each of the four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Donatello, Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo.

Available now on iOS and Android devices, the ‘TMNT Mutant Mayhem Lens’ features full face and body-tracking technology, allowing you to control each of the four turtles like a puppet using your own body. As you move your arms, legs, and head, your virtual counterpart mirrors your actions in real-time.

“This Lens demonstrates both the immersive qualities of our AR technology and boundless creativity of our Snapchat Lens creators,” said Laurel Duquette, Snap’s senior manager of advertiser solutions, in an official release.

Those interested can try the TMNT Mutant Mayhem Lens now via the Snapchat app, available for free on iOS and Android devices. Simply scan the QR code provided above using the app. You can also visit this link here.

Feature Image Credit: Paramount Pictures

The popular social media app doubles down on augmented reality.

Snap Inc. today announced the launch of Lens Creator Rewards, a new program that will reward the creators of top-performing Snapchat Lenses. Every month, Snap will be giving up to $7,200 to the creator of the most popular Lens in the United States, India, and Mexico.

The program is open to both new and existing Lens Studio members across roughly 40 countries. According to Snap, eligible Lenses include everything from virtual try-on experiences to full-blown augmented reality (AR) scenes.

“Snapchatters love Lenses built by our global AR community of more than 300,000 AR creators, developers, and teams around the world,” said Joseph Darko, global head of AR Developer Relations at Snap Inc, in an official release. “At Snap, we’re committed to rewarding the value that AR creators bring to the platform as they advance their skills and grow their businesses through the new Lens Creator Rewards Program.”

Snap states that its community of over 300,000 AR creators has developed more than 3 million Lenses with views numbering in the trillions. No doubt this new program will only further encourage the development of AR Lenses for the popular social media app.

For more information on the Lens Creator Rewards program visit here.

Feature Image Credit: Snap Inc.

AR-powered fashion invades the live music scene.

Snap, Inc., the company behind the uber-popular social media app Snapchat, is partnering with Verizon to bring its immersive augmented reality (AR) mirrors to music festivals later this summer.

According to the advertising trade publication Adweek, these AR mirrors will allow festivalgoers to access popular Snapchat Lenses powered by machine learning technology. This includes the infamous Shook Lens, which transforms the user into what I can only describe as a sadistic serial killer. Based on the images provided by Snap Inc., the popular Cartoon 3D Style Lens may also be available.

Those who attend these select events in person can scan a QR code to unlock 3-months of Snapchat+, a premium subscription service that offers experimental and pre-release features.

“It’s no secret Snapchatters absolutely thrive in the live music scene and are looking forward to the summer music festival season,” said Jill Popelka, head of AR Enterprise Services at Snap. “We’re so excited to collaborate with Verizon … and also showcase the versatility of our AR Mirrors in providing on-the-ground, immersive experiences for brands.”

The installation premiered earlier this month at Governors Ball in New York and will make an appearance at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival from June 15th to the 18th. We’re not sure at this time which other music festivals will feature Snap’s AR mirrors, so keep a look out the next time you find yourself at a rave!

I had the chance to try a version of Snap’s AR mirror technology at the Snap Partner Summit earlier this year. Upon walking in front of the “mirror,” I was instantly adorned with virtual apparel that conformed with my body and moved with me in real time. No doubt these types of virtual try-on experiences will become more prevalent over the coming years.

Feature Image Credit: Snap, Inc.

“Autobots, transform and roll out.”

Snap Inc. is back with yet another creative augmented reality (AR) experience for its popular social media app, Snapchat, that turns your personal vehicle into a giant mechanical robot from the long-running Transformers series.

Available just in time for the new Transformers: Rise of the Beasts movie, the “Transform Your Car” Lens was built by Paramount Pictures using SnapML, Snap’s machine learning technology. According to Adweek, the filter can supposedly convert any car into a virtual Cybertronian, no matter the model, year, or color.

All you have to do is open the Lens on your smartphone device and point the camera at your car. The Lens will then automatically scan your vehicle and digitally reassemble it into a Transformers robot of a similar style. After creating a robot, the Lens blurs your car in the background, allowing you to focus all of your attention on your new robot companion.

You can find the “Transform Your Car” filter in the Lens carousel in the Snapchat app, available for free on iOS and Android devices. For more information visit here.

Feature Image Credit: Paramount Pictures