Snapchat brings its selfie filters to desktop via new app

For the first time social media site Snapchat is bringing its camera with augmented reality lenses to its desktop app for people to be able to use it in apps including Skype.

Snapchat just released a new desktop app called the Snap Camera through which people can use Snapchat’s augmented reality selfie lenses inside of other desktop apps, and can access to Snapchat’s series of lenses including those made by other users via Snapchat’s Lens Studio software.

In order to use Snap Camera is pretty simple. Mashable explained, the new app is available for installation in both Windows and Mac that will sync with any camera system connected to the computer. Users can select it as the camera output for other apps like Google Hangouts or Skype and use those filters within those apps.

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Also, Snapchat has partnered with live streaming video platform, Twitch, where game streamers can use the AR effects while they live video stream. The streamers can also offer lenses to fans who have subscribed to their channels.

Moreover, Snap Camera works with the computer’s camera. It’s a standalone app and does not require users to login via a Snapchat account. “[We] want to put something out there that, first and foremost, is making it as simple as possible for a new community to access Snapchat Lenses, Eitan Pilipski, Snapchat’s VP of Camera Platform, told Engadget.

Pilpski said that the firm was motivated by the success of its Lens Studio product that had an immense success. “We saw there is a shift in the community where anyone who wants to be creative wants to build AR applications, but they don’t have the skills to build a standalone app.”

“What Snap Camera signals is that we at Snapchat wanted to make sure that we are leading the industry and leading the creative community in terms of providing them the ability to have a presence in AR,” he continued.