Snapchat might be working on 'smart glasses' like Google Glass
The popular social media app Snapchat is said to be working on its own version of 'smart glasses' similar to Google Glass. The company is also rumoured to be hiring developers, augmented reality specialists and wearable technology experts to bring its first hardware in the market.
If rumours are to be believed, the pair of 'smart glasses' would enable Snapchat's 100 million daily users to see messages and videos in front of their eyes. This means a pair of Snapchat-made glasses may encourage users to use the service more often.
According to a report in CNET, from early 2015, Snapchat has started building its team of software engineers specialised in computer vision and machine learning. The company has reportedly recruited developers from augmented reality groups like Microsoft’s HoloLens, PTC’s Vuforia and Eyefluence.
Snapchat has also put up a job listing for a "3D Computer Vision Engineer" for its Snap Lab division. This further adds more reasons to speculate that Snapchat is preparing to enter into the wearable market, as reported by Wearable.
In March 2014, Snapchat acquired Vergence Labs, which was noted for making a pair of glasses equipped with an embedded camera for $15 million. This was followed by $50 million acquisition of Scan.me, a QR code-scanning or creating technology.
In 2011, Snapchat, the popular video messaging app was started by three Stanford University students to share photos and videos. Snapchat turned down a $3 billion buyout offer from Facebook in 2013.
Earlier this month, at the Morgan Stanley technology conference, Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel mentioned that its users view over 8 million videos per day.
In related news, Google is reportedly in the process of reincarnating its Google Glass in three new versions.
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