SNAP BACK
Snapchat’s new 3D Friendmojis put mini-me versions of you and a friend in your snaps
Snapchat's just unveiled a new lens starring your Bitmojis, and we've got the lowdown on how you can use it
SNAPCHAT's hoping you'll forget its controversial redesign for a few minutes to play with its new 3D Friendmoji World Lens.
The update puts a 3D virtual version of you and a friend on top of the real-world environment around you.
2
The new feature works in tandem with Snapchat's revamped Bitmoji, rolled out last month, which offer even more customisation options for the cartoon avatars.
That means you'll need to download the Bitmoji app and link it to Snapchat before you can use the fresh lens.
Once you're done crafting your mini-me, you can fire up the new feature by following the steps below:
How to create your 3D Friendmoji
- Open a Chat with a friend in Snapchat
- Tap the Capture button to open a direct-reply Snap
- Point your rear-facing camera in front of you, tap the screen to unlock Friendmoji Lenses in the Lens carousel and place your Bitmojis on a surface
- Note: 3D Friendmojis can be identified by an icon that represents each scene
- Direct your Friendmoji animation by scaling, moving or walking around the 3D experience
- When you’re done send your creations to your friends or post them to your Story.
In a rare acquisition, Snapchat nabbed Bitstrips, the makers of Bitmoji, for a reported in March of 2016.
The gamble paid off, with Bitmoji going on to become the most downloaded app on the iOS App Store of 2017, followed by Snapchat itself in second place.
Snapchat expanded its popular Lens feature, which lets users put quirky masks on their faces, to include 3D graphics for the world around them last April.
The company recently opened up the function to allow users to create their own lenses for special occasions, starting from £5.99.
The introduction of 3D Friendmojis is yet another indication that Snapchat is encouraging its fans to use the app to primarily communicate with friends.
The new strategy, aimed at courting more users, was kicked off a few months back with the launch of the biggest design overhaul in the app's history.
2
The retooled Snapchat still opens to the camera like before, but your friends' stories and chats are now distinctly separated from posts from celebs and media outlets you follow.
The move has disgruntled users, brands, and celebs alike, including Kylie Jenner – who tweeted that she no longer opens the app, leading some to speculate that she dislikes the redesign.
All theses factors combined caused Snapchat's stock to plummet by 6 percent on Thursday – an estimated loss of $1.5 billion (£1 billion).
But, the company is sticking to its guns.
Last week, the Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel said the comments he was hearing from users "validated" the changes.
Most read in tech
“One of the complaints we got was, ‘Wow, I used to feel like this celebrity was my friend and now they don’t feel like my friend anymore,’" said Spiegel at the Goldman Sachs Technology Conference in San Francisco.
"And we’re like, ‘Exactly. They’re not your friend!’ … So for us, even some of the frustrations we’re seeing really validate those changes.”
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368 . We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
Topics