In a move that came as a surprise to users, the social media giant Snap Inc. announced that they are closing down their popular desktop video app known as Snap Camera.
The app allowed users to apply filters and lenses to their video calls when working from home or attending virtual meetings, making it a popular tool for work and leisure. The app was available for free to any Mac or Windows user.
Snap Camera first launched in 2019 and quickly gained traction, with users saying that the filters “brought life” to their video calls and meetings. While the photo and video filters have become a signature part of the Snapchat experience, the company pointed out that the same options are available to users directly through the Snapchat app, eliminating the need for a dedicated app.
Snap Inc. suggested that the decision to close down Snap Camera was made as part of their “belief that the core platform should be at the heart of our user experience”, and that the app was simply no longer necessary. While the company is still encouraging users to create Snaps with the help of the Timer and Camera features, the desktop version of these features will no longer be available via the app.
For users who liked the setup and convenience of the app, they will unfortunately no longer be able to make use of the filters and lenses offered. However, this move also speaks to Snap’s commitment to focus on its core offerings, an approach that could lead to an even better user experience in the future.
