Snap, the company behind Snapchat, has released a new Chrome browser extension that allows users to apply Snapchat’s AR (augmented reality) lenses to their webcam video feed.
This feature was previously available through Snap’s standalone “Snap Camera” app, which was popular during the COVID-19 lockdowns as a way to liven up video calls. However, Snap had shut down the Snap Camera app in January 2022 as part of broader cost-cutting measures.
Now, Snap is bringing back this functionality through a new Chrome extension. Users can use the extension to add various Snapchat lenses, such as turning themselves into a frog, potato, or axolotl, and overlay these effects on their webcam video during video calls, livestreams, or other online meetings.
The extension also allows users to use their own custom-made lenses that they have created using Snap’s Lens Studio tools. This provides an opportunity for more creativity and personalization.
While the novelty of these AR effects can wear off quickly, the new Chrome extension gives users a fun way to spice up their video call experiences once again.
