Not long after acquiring Amsterdam-based 3D-scanning studio Th3rd, Snap announced that it was working on integrating the company’s technology into its AR-powered commerce ambitions. The addition of Th3rd’s team members gives Snap access to specialty knowledge and expertise in 3D scanning, which could help it develop more immersive and interactive user experiences for its products.
Th3rd is a company that specializes in creating digital twins of people and products. By using artificial intelligence, the company is able to digitize products at scale, giving brands and retailers a way to see their product catalog in a new way. This has helped Adidas navigate the digital age more effectively, as the company worked with Th3rd to digitize more than 2,500 shoes.
Details about how Snap incorporated Th3rd’s capabilities into its company are unknown, but it is likely that the startup’s technology has been used to enhance Snap’s AR projects, including its newly launched offering for brands. Yesterday, Snap announced it would start offering its AR tools to enterprise customers. The new SaaS product offers a suite of features, like AR try-on and fit and sizing recommendation tech, to help brands leverage AR technology. This could be an interesting opportunity for small businesses who want to jump on the bandwagon and invest in this growing industry.
The company’s investments in AR-powered commerce are paying off and it is now expanding its platform to enable more retailers to leverage the technology. In April 2022, the company introduced tools that turn retailers’ photos into 3D assets and launched an in-app destination for AR fashion and virtual try-on called “Dress Up.” This addition to their platform demonstrates how committed Walmart is to this growing technology and how they are working to make it as easy as possible for storeseto use it.
Snap’s updates to its platform suggest that the company is looking to draw more attention from retailers and brands in an effort to bolster its position in the market. This focus likely stems from recent financial struggles at rival Facebook, as Snap seeks to appeal to a more lucrative audience. While it still faces several challenges, such as user engagement issues and trustworthiness concerns, Snap’s aggressive marketing efforts may help it secure a larger place in the market
Snap’s partnership with Amazon gives participating retailers the ability to let Snapchat users try on products before they buy them, as well as providing shoppers with product information and recommended purchases. This alliance is likely to further increase the popularity of Snapchat among retail customers, who are already increasingly using the app for shopping and other activities.
Snap’s acquisition of Third is an indication of the company’s focus on AR in the future. Third specializes in creating mobile AR applications, which could be very helpful for Snap as it continues to grow its userbase and explore new ways to keep users engaged.
Clearly, Snapchat is committed to AR and sees it as a key part of its future. The company has acquired a number of startups that help it take the technology further, and its Spectacles glasses are already proving popular with users. It will be interesting to see how the company develops this area in the years ahead, as augmented reality goes from being something niche to becoming an even more mainstream form of communication and entertainment
Given that Starbucks sees potential in AR-powered commerce, it would not be surprising if the company starts offering AR experiences for customers soon. By combining its already strong data tracking capabilities with AR technology, Starbucks could offer a unique experience that is both interactive and informative.
Snapchat has been quietly ramping up its augmented reality (AR) capabilities, and it looks like the service could become a major player in the market. The company recently conducted a study with consulting firm Ipsos and found that 92% of Gen Z users are interested in using AR for shopping. This suggests that Snapchat could be one of the leading platforms for AR shopping among younger demographics.
AR is becoming more and more important in retail as it allows shoppers to try on different items before they buy them. Snap, Pinterest, Google, Amazon, and other companies are all investing in AR-powered commerce so that shoppers can find the right item for them without ever leaving their screens.
