Ephemeral messaging service turned media platform du jour Snapchat is exploring the possibility of launching its first hardware product, with reports hinting it could be developing an AR headset that’s part Google Glass, part Microsoft HoloLens.
The device is rumoured to be a head-mounted augmented reality (AR) display that would allow users to interact with Snapchat and the real-world simultaneously, according to The Financial Times.
On the one hand, this kind of move makes total sense for Snapchat, which has already dabbled in AR by way of the filters and ‘Lenses’ it offers to users. But conversely, delivering a full hardware project is an entirely different prospect to adding a few jazzy software features to an existing application
Nonetheless, signs seem to point to Snapchat being serious about its rumoured headset ambitions. It joined the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) last week, for one, and back in 2014 acquired a hardware startup called Vergence Labs that – you guessed it – used to make augmented reality headsets.
Snapchat has yet to confirm the latest rumours, but stay tuned as we’ll be sure to update this article with any new reports as and when they become available.
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Would you want a Snapchat AR headset or does it sound dumb? Let us know in the comments below!
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.