Snap AR Lens Now Available as Chrome Extension—What Does It Do?

The company known as Snap has recently shared its augmented reality experience, a.k.a. the AR Lens, to Google Chrome for web browser users to enjoy on their online video calls.

This is accessible on Chrome as an extension that users install on their browser and easily access whenever needed. It offers filters that could deliver creative and fun experiences for users.

Its renowned AR Lens experience has already been available in various setups, from the Snapchat app to a now-defunct desktop camera app.

Snap AR Lens Now on Chrome as an Extension

Chrome's Web Store now offers the Snapchat Camera for Chrome extension in a public preview from Snap which is available for users to download and install on their browsers to enjoy the creative filters available.

This is from Snap's AR Lens, which offers the ability to transform one's display during video conferences or calls, whatever the app, and deliver fun filters to enjoy.

According to Engadget, the company previously added this feature for desktop users with a desktop camera app, which it killed last year.

Now, it is back as a lighter version that is added to the Chrome browser's extension and could be easily toggled to bring the overlay to one's video chat in a click.

What Does Snap's AR Lens Do for Users?

Snap's AR Lens is known for adding augmented reality filters and overlays to videos, in this case, for video calls with friends, families, or colleagues. Users may also add custom lenses (a.k.a. filters) they created to the Snapchat Camera for Chrome for a more personalized experience.

The only downside is that users may only use this on video calls via the Chrome browser and not on apps.

Snap's AR Lens: Augmented Experience

Snap is one of the pioneers of augmented reality experiences right on the smartphone, one that previously needed a special device like headset wearables or the computer to get the experience.

Since 2017, Snapchat Lenses has already helped bring fun and creative filters for users to enjoy, but it looked towards an overhaul of the experience to what the world knows now.

While Snap offers a specific wearable called Snapchat Spectacles to deliver augmented reality to users, the company has looked for ways to expand this feature for all.

Previously, the Spectacles was given the capabilities of the AR Lens to bring over the effects it has available, applying the AR effects almost everywhere when using the device.

Snapchat and Snap were revolutionary in their integration of augmented reality into social media, which laid the path towards the filter and overlay effects seen on other platforms.

After Snap's desktop camera shut down, the company is back at it again to deliver its renowned AR Lens experience to users. This time, it is available to Chrome as an extension for wider use.