Snapchat Tests 'Cameos' Feature to Deep-Fake User Selfies Into Shared Videos
Snapchat is testing a new feature called Cameos that allows users to map their selfies onto short looping videos to share in chats. The tool serves as an interactive alternative to Bitmoji and is set for a global rollout in mid-December.
Snapchat is testing a new feature called Cameos that allows users to replace the faces of actors in short videos with their own selfies. By taking a single photo and selecting a body type, users enable the app to map their face onto a variety of looping video clips with sound. This tool lives inside the standard Bitmoji button on the Snapchat messaging keyboard and currently offers 150 different scenes that express various emotions and reactions.
Users browse through categories or search for specific clips using terms like "hey" or "lol" to find the perfect video to send in a chat. The app automatically stretches and moves the user's selfie to match the facial reactions required for each specific scene. People can also enable multi-friend Cameos to star alongside their friends, retake their selfie to improve the results, or save the generated videos directly to their camera roll.
This feature helps Snapchat keep its core messaging experience fresh and competitive as rivals like Instagram and WhatsApp continue to copy its other innovations. While Snapchat faces some criticism for mimicking the concept of Chinese deep-fake app Zao or older sites like JibJab, Cameos provides a uniquely integrated and lightweight way for users to communicate. Snap confirms the feature is currently in limited international testing and plans a global launch on iOS and Android on December 18th.