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Snap launches a new way to reward AR creators

AR creators/techfullnews

On Thursday, Snap revealed an exciting new initiative aimed at supporting augmented reality (AR) creators. The company introduced “Challenge Tags,” a rewards program that gives AR developers the chance to earn cash prizes for creating standout Lenses. In addition, Snap announced discounted pricing for its Spectacles AR glasses, tailored specifically for students and educators, further emphasizing its dedication to the AR community.

Challenge Tags: Showcasing Talent and Earning Rewards

The inaugural theme for the Challenge Tags program is “humor,” encouraging developers to design fun and original Lenses. The competition runs through January 31 and offers attractive rewards for the most creative entries. The creator of the top Lens will receive $2,500, while second and third place winners will take home $1,500 and $1,000, respectively. Additionally, twenty honorable mentions will each receive $250, providing recognition for a wide range of creators.

To join, participants must register for the challenge, develop a Lens using Snap’s Lens Studio, and include the relevant Challenge Tag during submission. Snap plans to release new challenges every month, ensuring ongoing opportunities for AR creators to demonstrate their skills.

Lenses submitted for the program will be assessed based on creativity, technical skill, and alignment with the theme. With Snap’s collaboration with the AR marketing platform Lenslist, developers from over 100 countries can now participate, significantly expanding the program’s accessibility.

Affordable Spectacles for Students and Educators

In another move to encourage AR innovation, Snap is introducing special pricing for its Spectacles AR glasses, targeting students and educators. Eligible participants, including college students, teachers, and university staff, can subscribe to Spectacles at a reduced rate of $49.50 or €55 per month. This is a significant discount from the regular subscription fee of $99 per month.

This offer is available in all markets where Spectacles are sold, including the United States, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria, and the Netherlands. By making these cutting-edge AR tools more accessible, Snap aims to inspire educators and students to explore AR’s potential and integrate it into their academic projects and teaching.

Snap’s Commitment to Advancing AR

Snap has long been recognized as a pioneer in augmented reality, transforming how users engage with AR through its popular filters and Lenses. The company’s ongoing investments in AR technology underscore its leadership in the space.

By launching the Challenge Tags program and offering discounted Spectacles pricing, Snap is reaffirming its dedication to supporting the AR creator community. These initiatives provide creators with financial rewards, global exposure, and access to advanced tools, empowering them to push the boundaries of AR innovation.

Through these efforts, Snap is not only strengthening its position as a leader in the AR industry but also fostering a vibrant ecosystem where AR creators can thrive and shape the future of augmented reality.

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Elon Musk’s platform X is preparing to overhaul its block function, breaking away from traditional social media practices. Under the new policy, blocked users will still be able to view the posts of the person who blocked them, as long as the posts are public. However, they will be restricted from liking, reposting, or replying to these posts.

Musk has previously voiced his opinion on the issue, stating, “Blocking public posts makes no sense. It needs to be replaced by a stronger mute function.” Jack Dorsey, former Twitter co-founder and CEO, also supports this approach.

Elon Musk’s X are driving users away

While Musk and Dorsey argue that blocking public posts is redundant—since anyone can access them by simply logging out—others, like Tracy Chou, founder of the anti-harassment tool Block Party, believe the block function provides an essential layer of protection. Chou stated on X, “The friction matters! Making it easier for people to engage in harmful behavior isn’t a good thing.”

In response to the proposed changes, many X users are exploring alternatives, leading to a significant rise in activity on platforms like Bluesky. Over a two-day span, Bluesky saw 1.2 million new users and climbed to the second spot in the U.S. App Store’s Social Networking category, a dramatic jump from its previous ranking of 181.

Though user spikes don’t always translate into sustained engagement, this policy shift could have more lasting effects compared to X’s previous changes, such as its rebranding from Twitter. The adjustment focuses on the rights of blocked users, potentially putting those who rely on blocking for protection at greater risk.

X’s engineering team defended the update, stating, “Currently, block can be used to hide harmful or private information. With this change, users will gain more transparency and visibility into these behaviors.”

As X continues to evolve under Musk’s leadership, these changes may lead to a shift in user behavior, with more people seeking alternatives, potentially reshaping the social media landscape.

On Wednesday, Meta carried out layoffs across several teams, confirming the decision was part of its ongoing effort to restructure and better align resources with its long-term goals. The company explained in a statement to TechCrunch that these layoffs were necessary to meet evolving strategic objectives.

“Today, some teams at Meta are undergoing changes to ensure resources are aligned with our long-term strategic plans and location priorities,” a Meta spokesperson shared via email. “This includes relocating certain teams, transitioning employees to new roles, and, in cases where jobs are eliminated, making efforts to find new opportunities for affected staff.”

Meta lays off employees across multiple teams

Teams working on Reality Labs, Instagram, and WhatsApp were reportedly among those affected, according to The Verge.

One of the employees impacted by this round of layoffs was Jane Manchun Wong, a software engineer hired in 2023 for Instagram. Wong had gained recognition for revealing unreleased features of Meta’s apps, and her hiring had been celebrated by Meta executives like CTO Andrew Bosworth and Instagram chief Adam Mosseri.

Several other employees who were laid off also took to social media to share their experience. Those working on Facebook, recruiting, legal operations, and design teams were among those announcing their departures. However, Meta confirmed that no layoffs took place within Threads, recruiting, or legal operations.

Although the company did not disclose the total number of employees affected or the specific departments involved, a former Meta employee shared that some were offered the option to take on new roles under revised contracts, while others chose to accept severance packages. According to reports, certain employees received six weeks of severance pay.

In an additional report from the Financial Times, it was revealed that some employees were dismissed for using their $25 meal credits for non-food items, as rumored on the workplace app Blind.

This latest round of layoffs is part of Meta’s broader effort to reduce its workforce. In 2022, Meta laid off 13% of its employees, totaling around 11,000 workers, a move for which CEO Mark Zuckerberg took responsibility. In 2023, Meta cut another 10,000 jobs and canceled 5,000 open positions. These reductions follow rapid hiring during the pandemic as Meta now focuses on streamlining its operations.

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