The source code TechCrunch found in this Snapchat app contains a pop-up text, 'press and hold to identify objects, songs, barcodes and more! This can transfer data to Amazon, Shazam and other partners.'
Snap has a similar partnership with the music service Shazam, which can be streamed to the Shazam music database via the Snapchat camera. This feature allows users to discover artists through Shazam and then track them on Snapchat.
For mobile applications, visual and bar code search is not new. Amazon apps also include barcode scanning. Earlier in 2017, Pinterest launched the Lens feature, using artificial intelligence to identify objects and then display images of similar items. Last fall, Pinterest announced that its Lens function had an advertising agreement with retail giant Target.
After IPO listing in 2017, Snap has been working hard to increase revenue. Earlier, it was reported that Snapchat will be transformed into a gaming platform and multimedia messaging application. The Information said that Snap will allow third-party development from this fall. Develop a game that runs on Snapchat. There is already a game company that has signed with Snap.
This move will make Snapchat more like Tencent's successful WeChat. WeChat brings Tencent's financial resources through in-game shopping.
Integrating more services not only increases revenue, but also increases user engagement. User engagement is a major issue for Snap.
In the most recent quarter, Snap's revenue was $150 million, lower than Wall Street's expectations. Snap's share price closed at $13.65 per share on Monday, below the issue price of $17.