As people seek to connect and create a sense of togetherness this Ramadan, Snapchat has released a new augmented reality (AR) age lens that lets individuals share their favorite Ramadan memories as if they were right back in that special moment. Available for a limited time during the month of Ramadan, the lens can be enjoyed simply by opening the Snap Camera on your mobile phone and locating it on the lens carousel.
Popular Snap Stars in the Middle East are already using the lens to highlight some of their favorite Ramadan moments, adjusting their appearance through the AR lens to mimic different periods of their lives. Communities across the region can join the fun by sharing their memories with close friends via their personal Story profile, or by choosing to share memories via Spotlight--Snapchat’s in-app entertainment platform for user-generated content--with the hashtag #RamadanwithSnap.
Ramadan is traditionally a period when people spend more time creating and consuming media content in the form of shows, playing games with friends, or sharing user-generated content. Snapchat’s evolution of AR has enhanced the way people can live and communicate through visual self-expression, which has long resonated with communities in the MENA region. Snapchat’s AR lenses are also being widely used by creators and public figures, known as Snap Stars on the platform, as a way to meaningfully grow their audience, build their business and entertain their community.
A recent study by Deloitte Digital found that by 2025, almost all of the Gen Z and Millennial population in Saudi Arabia and almost all UAE users of social and communication apps are anticipated to be frequent AR users.
The new Ramadan age lens can be activated by scanning the below Snapcode from the in-app camera. Snapchatters can also follow these quick, easy instructions to use the lens.
1. Scan the code
2. Snapchatters have three effects they can set up through the on-screen triggers: starting with the choice of filter on the left hand side, through the buttons.
3. They can then select their favorite background by tapping on-screen, picking through four different options.
4. Lastly, the ‘time-machine’ slider at the bottom will allow Snapchatters to cycle between the ages!
5. Record and start sharing!
Tony Ghazal, Talent Partnerships Manager – MENA at Snap Inc. said,
By designing technology that’s connected to the real world, you bring with it really important parts of humanity, which you see in a period like Ramadan. We want to celebrate with our Snapchat community and Snap Stars by offering new ways to have fun, create new traditions, and connect.