Snapchat he secretly preparing an augmented reality product ?

The rumor that Snapchat is currently developing a virtual reality machine returns to a more and more regular.

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group, in an unexpected new member: Snapchat. This accession to the consortium, which sets the specifications and grant of licenses Bluetooth, could demonstrate a willingness to spend Snapchat world of software than the hardware, with a product that therefore would connect Bluetooth.

According to the Financial Times, it could be part of the field of augmented reality. As Microsoft and Google HoloLens with these glasses with Daydream helmets, the start-up could be carried away by the potential of this market.

The fact that the addition of "virtual items" in images is already present in filters and effects application reinforces that Snapchat is interested in the subject.

Acquisitions and hires

Another fact which reinforces the theory, during the summer 2015, Evan Spiegel, CEO of Snapchat, was photographed with a pair of strange glasses with two image sensors slid into the frame. Simple gadget or preview of augmented reality glasses? Nobody knew, but observers had noticed they resembled those Vergence Labs had designed.

cc E. Miller - Les lunettes connectées de Vergence Labs

Then, in March, it was reported that engineers from Nokia and Logitech had joined a "secret" research team to develop a mystery product.

Another acquisition indicates that Snapchat is very interested in virtual reality: that of the start-up Seene last July. With filters developed by this company, Snapchat could add a 3D picture format to the app and develop new projects in the field of virtual reality ...

Finally, last index, the research lab Snapchat team was joined in early summer by a former Microsoft who worked on HoloLens glasses.

Snapchat currently has 150 million daily active users and it has become a platform of choice for the broadcast of live events as well as chat with friends. Nothing so unusual about Snapchat wants to go further.

Sources :

Financial Times et Business Insider