Snap’s AR lenses are coming to Rakuten Viber

July 1, 2021 3 min read
Rakuten Viber is bringing the magic of augmented reality (AR) lenses to its app through a partnership with Snap Inc. Here's why users should be excited.

Millions of Rakuten Viber users will soon have a new reason to smile. For the camera, that is.

Rakuten Viber has added the magic of augmented reality (AR) lenses to its app through a partnership with Snap Inc. Using Snap’s developer tools — including Camera Kit, Creative Kit and Bitmoji — the Viber app will integrate AR lenses, enable sharing to Snapchat and bring customizable Bitmoji avatars to Viber.

For Viber users around the world, that means a whole lot of fun new ways to communicate with friends, family and community members.

“Through this partnership, we want to empower the creativity of our users with AR, and we’re looking forward to inspiring new fun-filled ways for people to keep in touch with their friends and family members.”

Djamel Agaoua, CEO of Rakuten Viber

The initial launch will introduce 30 new Viber lenses, including animal masks and Viber characters, an underwater lens, silly cat interactions and more. The company also plans to add between 50-70 additional lenses per month, amounting to at least 300 lenses by the end of 2021.

The initial launch will introduce 30 new Viber lenses, including animal masks and Viber characters, an underwater lens, silly cat interactions, and more.

FC Barcelona, others offer exclusive new lenses

The World Wildlife Fund, FC Barcelona and the World Health Organization are among the first Viber partners to offer new lenses on the messaging app.

“Snap’s partnership with Rakuten Viber is a win-win situation for us both… It will help us expand our Augmented Reality technology into regions where Viber already has a solid footprint and help Viber’s users express themselves through AR on the Viber platform.”

Elliot Solomon, Director, Camera Platform Partnerships at Snap Inc.

But that’s just the start: Business partners will also have the opportunity to create custom lenses for their communities on the platform. These sponsored and branded lenses will provide a highly interactive avenue for businesses to connect with potential customers while offering an additional revenue stream to Viber.

Sponsored and branded lenses will provide a highly interactive avenue for businesses to connect with potential customers while offering an additional revenue stream to Viber.

More than a messaging app

“We’re excited to bring the Snap camera to Viber users,” says Djamel Agaoua, CEO of Rakuten Viber. “Through this partnership, we want to empower the creativity of our users with AR, and we’re looking forward to inspiring new fun-filled ways for people to keep in touch with their friends and family members.”

“Snap’s partnership with Rakuten Viber is a win-win situation for us both,” explains Elliot Solomon, Director, Camera Platform Partnerships at Snap. “It will help us expand our Augmented Reality technology into regions where Viber already has a solid footprint and help Viber’s users express themselves through AR on the Viber platform.” 

Adds Agaoua, “Viber is more than a messaging app. It not only connects people with each other, it is also a place where users can create entertaining, exciting and rewarding content to share with their communities.”

The iOS and Android beta versions of the Viber app supporting new AR lens features will be available from June 30.

Introducing your new favorite features

Thanks to the partnership, Viber will be rolling out the following features:

  • Instant Augmented Reality: Overlay images on top of surroundings and harness the power of AR at your fingertips
  • Attention-Grabbing Filters: Add a creative layer to your visuals and spark conversations with friends
  • Expressive Masks: Select from a variety of masks that accurately follow users’ facial movements
  • Beautification Features: Enhance your images with realistic touches like lipstick, blush and a variety of hair colors
  • Customized Bitmoji: Integrate personalized Bitmoji characters into photos and videos

The iOS and Android beta versions of the app supporting the new features will be available from June 30 in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greenland, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Maldives, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.S. Viber will progressively roll out the features to additional regions and to all Android users by the end of August.

Using Snap’s developer tools – including Camera Kit, Creative Kit and Bitmoji – the Viber app will integrate AR lenses, enable sharing to Snapchat and bring customizable Bitmoji avatars to Viber.

To learn more about the partnership, visit here. Or even better, open the app and enjoy the magic of Viber’s new AR lenses firsthand. It’s bound to be a transformative experience.

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