The messaging and multimedia mobile application Snapchat that became a hit among many users because of its animated stickers that can be superimposed on a person's video is taking the app into another level by acquiring augmented reality (AR) features to its messaging app. Although it has not been realized yet but it surely is in the company's cards in the near future as it recently acquired an AR startup in Israel called Cimagine Media.
According to reports, the AR startup plays with the price of allegedly between $30 million to $40 million. The Cimagine, which was launched in 2012 created technology that allows companies to show how products look in the real world with virtual devices. The recent acquisition posed a prelude to the future of Snapchat when it comes to AR technology.
Reports also added that the acquisition will provide Snap with a development center in the Middle East. Since Snap has recently began selling Snapchat Spectacles in special flash sales in many US cities it is speculated that it could offer to people future wearable versions of those glasses to see AR visuals selling products and services in the real world, Android Authority reported.
Seeing AR features in the app is a possibility and it could even give a potential business growth to Snap since Cimagine specializes in computer vision, real-time image processing, mobile development, international marketing, and more. According to Digital Trends, all of these will be very useful for Snapchat as it further refines and updates its app.
Since Cimagine has experiences in ecommerce, news reports cited that this could be a good avenue for Snap's economic growth. Sources added that this is Snap's second purchase of the month and fourth for the course of 2016. It acquired advertising tech company Flite, mobile search app Vurb, 32-selfie enabling startup Seene, and bitmoji maker Bitstrips.
With its latest acquisition of Cimagine, Snap indeed is trailing into a bright future ahead and fans are hoping to see these AR features in its products the soonest, as the company has claimed these products could empower people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together.
