Chinese video streaming app, TikTok is now testing an experimental set of AR developer tools that would allow content creators to build augmented reality effects for the platform. The said platform is called TikTok Effect Studio and is presently in private beta. The company has stated that Effect Studio is just an “experiment” at this step and may not make it to a full launch.
TikTok’s AR Development Platform Now to Compete with Snap and Facebook
However, this new experiment would be a practical product for TikTok to create. Both Snap and Facebook have their own AR development platforms, which prompt people to build new camera effects for their particular platforms. It appears to be a contoured way to keep your viewers interested, outsourcing the development of the latest effects to users who know best what they want to see.
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Early Access to TikTok Effect Studio
On a new website titled “Effect House,” the company has asked interested developers to sign up for early access to TikTok Effect Studio. On the application provided, the developers are required to fill out their name, email, TikTok account details, company, and level of expertise with developing for AR, including the samples of their work. The website further questions if they’re using a Mac or PC, and whether they would test Effect House for work or for personal usage.
The AR development platform project was initially spotted by social media consultant Matt Navarra, by a tip from Sam Schmir.
TikTok is launching an Effects Studio in beta
h/t @Sam_Schmir pic.twitter.com/K3LS5S2Yoq
— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) August 14, 2021
In addition to this, TikTok has not offered a definite time frame as to when these AR developer tools would be launched more broadly. Instead, the company described Effect Studio as an early “experiment,” continuing that some of its tests don’t always make it to the final launch. Moreover, other tests may undergo notable changes between their initial beta phases and what later converts to a public product.
Facebook is the World’s Largest AR Development Platform
Furthermore, with the launch of an AR development platform, TikTok would be more competitive with market rivals, who today depend on creative communities to enhance their apps’ feature sets with new features and experiences. For instance, Snap has launched a $3.5 million fund last year aimed towards Snapchat AR Lens production. Meantime, at Facebook’s F8 developer conference in June, the firm declared it had grown its Spark AR platform to more than 600,000 creators across 190 nations, making it the biggest mobile AR development platform worldwide.
Though TikTok has confirmed its more widespread goals for TikTok Effect Studio, the firm refused to share particular details about the exact AR developer tools that may be included, referring to the project’s early days. “We’re always thinking about new ways to bring value to our community and enrich the TikTok experience,” stated a TikTok spokesperson. “Currently, we’re experimenting with ways to give creators additional tools to bring their creative ideas to life for the TikTok community,” they added.
Source: TechCrunch
