Lens Archives - bobweb.ai

Snapchat Unveils Free “Imagine Lens” for All Users

Snapchat is excited to announce its first open AI image generation feature, the “Imagine Lens,” now available to all users at no cost. Initially launched in September exclusively for paid subscribers, this new Lens allows everyone to personalize their Snaps using creative prompts or even generate unique images.

Transform Your Snaps with Fun Prompts

Users can unleash their creativity by entering prompts like “Turn me into an alien” after capturing a selfie, or even request whimsical images of a “grumpy cat.” This innovative tool is perfect for exploring Halloween costume ideas or reimagining your friends’ appearances.

Share Your Creations With Friends

Once you’ve generated your masterpiece, you can easily share it with friends or post it directly to your Snapchat Story, expanding your audience beyond the app.

Competing in the AI Landscape

Snapchat’s broader rollout of the AI Lens comes in response to recent launches from competitors like Meta with Meta AI and OpenAI’s Sora, which offer even more advanced AI tools aimed at engaging the younger audience. Sora, for instance, allows users to create videos of themselves after providing a one-time video and audio recording, facilitating shared experiences through AI-generated personas called “cameos.”

A Strategic Move for Snapchat

Recognizing the competitive pressure, Snapchat’s decision to open the AI image Lens to all users appears to be a strategic investment. Previously, this feature was only available to Lens+ and Snapchat Platinum subscribers, but now a limited number of generations are accessible to free users as well.

Global Expansion Plans

Initially, free users in the U.S. can enjoy the new Lens, with plans to expand to other markets, starting with Canada, Great Britain, and Australia shortly thereafter.

How to Access the New Lens

To find the Lens, simply look for it at the front of the in-app Lens Carousel, or search by name. You can edit your prompt by tapping the caption or choose from preloaded suggestions for inspiration.

Lens Engagement Statistics

Snapchat reports that its users engage with Lenses over 8 billion times each day, highlighting the immense popularity and potential of this feature.

Sure! Here are five FAQs regarding Snapchat’s release of its first open prompt AI Lens:

FAQ 1: What is the new open prompt AI Lens on Snapchat?

Answer: The new open prompt AI Lens is an interactive feature that uses artificial intelligence to generate unique visual effects based on user input. By providing prompts, users can create personalized AR experiences and share them with friends.

FAQ 2: How can I access the open prompt AI Lens?

Answer: To access the open prompt AI Lens, simply open the Snapchat app, swipe to the camera screen, and then select the “Lens Explorer” option. You can find the AI Lens in the featured section and start using it for free.

FAQ 3: Are there any costs associated with using the AI Lens?

Answer: No, the open prompt AI Lens is available for free to all users in the United States. You can use it without any subscription or hidden fees.

FAQ 4: Can I create my own prompts for the AI Lens?

Answer: Yes! Users can input their own creative prompts to generate customized AR effects, allowing for a highly personalized experience tailored to individual tastes.

FAQ 5: Is the AI Lens available globally?

Answer: Currently, the open prompt AI Lens is only available for free users in the United States. There may be plans to expand its availability to other regions in the future. Keep an eye on updates from Snapchat for any changes!

Source link

<div>
    <h2>Farewell to Microsoft Lens: A Beloved Document Scanner Set to Retire</h2>
    <p id="speakable-summary" class="wp-block-paragraph">Sometimes, a straightforward app that excels at one function can make all the difference.</p>

    <h3>What Was Microsoft Lens?</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a target="_blank" href="https://techcrunch.com/2015/04/02/microsoft-debuts-office-lens-a-document-scanning-app-for-ios-and-android/">Microsoft Lens</a> was a mobile scanning app that transformed paper documents, business cards, receipts, and more into easily accessible digital files. However, Microsoft has announced it will discontinue the app, directing users to its Copilot AI chat application instead.</p>

    <h3>Timeline of Retirement</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">As per a newly released support <a target="_blank" href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/retirement-of-microsoft-lens-fc965de7-499d-4d38-aeae-f6e48271652d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">document</a>, Lens will be phased out from iOS and Android devices starting September 15, 2025. It will be removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play on November 15, 2025. Users will still be able to utilize the app’s scanning features until December 15, 2025. After that date, new scans will be disabled, but users can access prior scans as long as the app remains installed on their devices.</p>

    <h3>A Brief History of Microsoft Lens</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Originally launched in 2015 as Office Lens, Microsoft Lens evolved from an application initially created for Windows Phone users. Unlike many other mobile scanning applications, it kept its features untouched by subscriptions or hidden fees—an impressive feat in today’s App Store landscape.</p>

    <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large">
        <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" height="680" width="351" 
             src="https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/microsoft-lens.jpeg?w=351" 
             alt="" class="wp-image-3035556" 
             srcset="https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/microsoft-lens.jpeg 400w, 
                     https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/microsoft-lens.jpeg?resize=78,150 78w, 
                     https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/microsoft-lens.jpeg?resize=155,300 155w, 
                     https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/microsoft-lens.jpeg?resize=351,680 351w, 
                     https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/microsoft-lens.jpeg?resize=222,430 222w, 
                     https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/microsoft-lens.jpeg?resize=372,720 372w, 
                     https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/microsoft-lens.jpeg?resize=345,668 345w, 
                     https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/microsoft-lens.jpeg?resize=194,375 194w, 
                     https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/microsoft-lens.jpeg?resize=319,617 319w, 
                     https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/microsoft-lens.jpeg?resize=274,531 274w, 
                     https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/microsoft-lens.jpeg?resize=26,50 26w" 
             sizes="auto, (max-width: 351px) 100vw, 351px"/>
        <figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><span class="wp-block-image__credits"><strong>Image Credits:</strong> Microsoft</span></figcaption>
    </figure>

    <h3>What Made Microsoft Lens Unique?</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The app excelled at converting handwritten notes, documents, receipts, business cards, and whiteboard notes into your preferred file format, be it PDF, Word, PowerPoint, or image files. Additionally, it featured a range of filters to enhance scanned images, improving readability and visual appeal.</p>

    <h3>The Transition to Microsoft 365 Copilot</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The announcement of Lens's shutdown was first reported by <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-will-kill-the-microsoft-lens-pdf-scanner-app-for-ios-android-in-september/">Bleeping Computer</a>. They note that users are being encouraged to switch to the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, which unfortunately lacks many of the features that Lens users have come to love, such as direct saving options to OneNote and enhanced accessibility features like read-aloud and <a target="_blank" href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/use-immersive-reader-in-word-a857949f-c91e-4c97-977c-a4efcaf9b3c1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Immersive Reader</a> integration.</p>

    <h3>Losing a Favorite Tool: Popularity and Downloads</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Despite being older, Lens continues to attract users, amassing over 322,000 downloads on both the <a target="_blank" href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-lens-pdf-scanner/id975925059" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">App Store</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.office.officelens&amp;hl=en_US" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Google Play</a> in just the last 30 days. Overall, it has recorded a staggering 92.3 million downloads since January 2017, according to Appfigures.</p>

    <h3>What’s Next for Microsoft Lens Users?</h3>
    <p class="wp-block-paragraph">As of now, Microsoft has not responded to inquiries regarding the decision to discontinue Lens, leaving users to wonder about their options moving forward.</p>
</div>

This version employs SEO-friendly headlines while presenting the content in a more engaging format. Each section is designed to capture the reader’s interest while providing essential information.

Here are five FAQs about Microsoft Lens, an app that is being phased out in favor of AI-driven solutions:

FAQ 1: What is Microsoft Lens?

Answer: Microsoft Lens is a mobile app that allows users to capture and enhance images of documents, whiteboards, business cards, and more. It converts images into editable formats and integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft apps like OneNote and Word.

FAQ 2: Why is Microsoft Lens being replaced by AI technologies?

Answer: Microsoft is transitioning to AI-driven solutions to provide advanced features such as real-time text recognition, automatic organization, and smarter document management. These technologies offer enhanced user experiences and improve overall productivity beyond what traditional apps like Lens can deliver.

FAQ 3: Will Microsoft Lens still be available for download after it’s replaced?

Answer: While Microsoft Lens may still be accessible for a time, users are encouraged to transition to newer AI-driven applications that offer similar or improved functionalities. Future updates and support are likely to focus on these new technologies.

FAQ 4: What alternatives should I consider after Microsoft Lens?

Answer: Alternatives include Microsoft Office Mobile, which integrates AI features for document scanning and organization, as well as other productivity apps like Adobe Scan and Google Keep, which leverage similar technologies for enhanced document management.

FAQ 5: How can I transition my documents from Microsoft Lens to newer applications?

Answer: You can export your documents and images from Microsoft Lens to other Microsoft apps like OneNote or Word. Additionally, consider using cloud storage services like OneDrive for easy access and sharing. Review the specific export features within the app for detailed guidance on transitioning your files.