APPS
APPS
APPS
Snap is quietly building an object recognition feature called Camera Search
An analysis of Snap Inc.’s Android app has revealed code for an unreleased object recognition feature that could give the company a potentially significant new revenue source.
The capability was detailed today in a TechCrunch report that cited app researcher Ishan Agarwal. Agarwal has made a name for himself by uncovering features on Instagram’s development roadmap prior to their release, including the video chat tool that the Facebook subsidiary Inc. launched in May.
Snapchat’s code indicates that the planned object recognition feature will be called “Camera Search.” According to internal notes from the company’s developers, the capability will let users scan an object or a barcode with their mobile camera to bring up relevant product listings from Amazon.com Inc.
Some clues are also available as to the specific options the feature will provide. The Android app’s code indicates that users will have the ability to check the reviews written about suggested products, as well as copy the link for a listing and send items to contacts.
Snap’s objective with Camera Search is presumably to drive e-commerce purchases through its app. Such a referral system could have the potential to drive a lot of new revenue for the company given that it had 191 million active daily users as of May. Snap has struggled to monetize its installed base so far, reporting a loss of $385.8 million last quarter.
It’s unclear if Snap will partner with Amazon for Camera Search or intends to pursue the project alone. Theoretically, the company could add integrations with other e-commerce marketplaces as well to increase the number of products and shopping options available for users.
It wouldn’t be the first time that Snap has turned to an external service to provide value-added features. In 2016, Snap rolled out an integration with Apple Inc.’s Shazam music recognition service to help users find the names of songs they come across and learn more about the artist.
The code for Camera Search mentions Shazam alongside Amazon and unnamed “other partners.” That suggests Snap may have plans to expand upon the existing integration with the service, perhaps by adding the ability for users to buy content or Apple Music subscriptions. Snap declined to comment on the report.
Image: Pixabay
Since you’re here …
… We’d like to tell you about our mission and how you can help us fulfill it. SiliconANGLE Media Inc.’s business model is based on the intrinsic value of the content, not advertising. Unlike many online publications, we don’t have a paywall or run banner advertising, because we want to keep our journalism open, without influence or the need to chase traffic.The journalism, reporting and commentary on SiliconANGLE — along with live, unscripted video from our Silicon Valley studio and globe-trotting video teams at theCUBE — take a lot of hard work, time and money. Keeping the quality high requires the support of sponsors who are aligned with our vision of ad-free journalism content.
If you like the reporting, video interviews and other ad-free content here, please take a moment to check out a sample of the video content supported by our sponsors, tweet your support, and keep coming back to SiliconANGLE.
