Snap bets big on augmented reality with new features for app

Snapchat, the social network popular with young smartphone users, said it has 500 million monthly active users amid surging growth in many parts of the world. — AFP

Snap Inc is more aggressively embracing augmented reality, showing off a new version of its glasses with AR and expanding shopping features to compete in e-commerce with other social media platforms such as Facebook Inc and ByteDance Ltd’s TikTok.

The company said it has upgraded augmented reality technology to let those on the popular Snapchat app use their voices and gestures to make changes in Lenses, or animated overlays, on photos and videos. The announcements were made Thursday at Snap’s annual partner summit, where the company outlines innovations and upgrades to its app.