Snap announced Thursday that it is introducing a new “Challenge Tag” rewards program that allows AR developers to submit lenses and win cash prizes. The company also announced the launch of educational pricing and student discounts for Spectacles, AR glasses for developers.
The theme for the first challenge tag is humor, and submissions are open until January 31st. The first-place Lens developer will receive $2,500, while second and third place will receive $1,500 and $1,000, respectively. Twenty honorable mentions will receive $250.
To participate, developers must register for each challenge, build a lens in Snap's Lens Studio, and apply a challenge tag to be considered in the publishing process. Snap announces new challenges every month.
Lenses submitted for the award will be judged on their originality, technical excellence and thematic focus. Thanks to a new partnership between Snap and AR marketing platform Lenslist, AR developers from over 100 countries around the world can participate.
With Spectacles' new education pricing and student discounts, university students, teachers and staff will now have access to the glasses for a monthly subscription fee of $49.50 or €55. Standard subscription price is $99 per month.
Education pricing and student discounts are available in all countries where Spectacles is available, including the United States, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, and the Netherlands. Any student or teacher enrolled or working at an accredited institution in these markets is eligible.
Snap is largely considered a leader in AR, the company that popularized the use of AR filters and lenses through its platform. Snap is an early adopter of AR and has been investing in this space for years.
With these new changes, Snap shows its continued commitment to building and evolving AR.