Microsoft Teams users around the world can now use more than 20 AR Lenses thanks to a new partnership with Snapchat.

It is not the first time Microsoft has integrated Snap’s Camera Kit SDK. But this time, it actually works seamlessly.

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Microsoft Teams will be able to activate a rotating selection of 26 Snapchat AR lenses during video calls. The lenses will let users add on cat ears, appear like they are being hugged by a sloth or a teddy bear, or even carry a chicken above their heads. Snapchat AR lenses will be available on Microsoft Teams without any additional download by clicking on “Video Effects,” “More Video Effects,” and then the “Snapchat” tab.

The new experience is built using Snap’s Camera software development kit (SDK). Previously, Microsoft had integrated Camera Kit to bring Snap’s AR technology into its Flip video learning platform, resulting into a significant increase in the number of videos created on the platform. In a blog post, Snap said, “There has been a 60% increase in students and teachers creating videos” since the Snap AR technology was added to the “Flip web experience.”

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Snap previously offered its own Snap Camera desktop application, which allowed users to activate filters during video calls on other platforms. The Snap Camera app was discontinued in January 2023.

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Snapchat for Web, previously only available to paid subscribers is now open to all users.

Snapchat had announced the new web app back in July, describing it as an “unmet opportunity” for the company.

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Snapchat for Web lets users chat and video call with friends, with all conversations syncing between devices. It is the first time Snap brings the platform beyond mobile devices. It gives users more space to chat and video call within one unique window. The company had said back in July that over one hundred million users call others using Snapchat every month, making it one of the most important features of the app itself.

Snapchat for Web was first rolled out as part of the offering for Snapchat Plus subscribers, the company’s paid tier that offers access to early and exclusive features like the ability to pin a friend as a BFF, exclusive badges, story rewatch count, Snapchat web, and more.

Snapchat Plus costs $3.99 per month and counts over a million users.

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Snapchat shared stories will let users who have been added to custom stories invite their own friends to contribute.

Custom Stories were introduced to let Snapchatters create Stories and add their friends to view them and contribute with their own content. Snapchat Shared Stories expand on that concept, letting users who have been added to the group invite their own friends to participate.

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Like all other Stories types, Share Stories will also disappear after 24 hours. Snap also added a “privacy” layer, with automatic notifications when a user joins a Share Story that includes someone they have blocked.

Snap explained that Shared Stories are moderated through a combination of automatic language detection and new community review tools that give users an active role in keeping the community safe and fun.

Snap said in a blog post, “With this next-generation Story, we’re hoping to help Snapchatters turn shared moments into shared memories. Have Snaps to share? Head to the profile page, tap new story then select Shared Story to get started.”

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