Snapchat and OUTFRONT Media Launch 'Crowd Created' Live AR Spectacle in Times Square on June 18

prnewswire.com Jun 19, 2026

Snapchat and OUTFRONT Media Launch ‘Crowd Created’ Live AR Spectacle in Times Square on June 18

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jun 19, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

OUTFRONT Media and Snapchat have launched "Crowd Created," a live AR spectacle in Times Square, with HBO Max as the launch partner. The experience celebrates the upcoming Season 3 premiere of House of the Dragon, allowing visitors to interact with custom AR Lenses and see themselves on Times Square billboards. The activation combines Snapchat's AR technology with OUTFRONT XLabs' award-winning XTend offering, transforming a passive walk-by into a shared cultural moment. From 3PM to 7PM on June 18, visitors can step in front of the Snapchat AR Mirror and opt-in to see themselves in the world of the series. This innovative ad format marries IRL and AR, offering brands a new way to launch titles and invite audiences to become part of the campaign.

💡 Why It Matters

· By merging physical and virtual environments, Crowd Created redefines the boundaries of interactive advertising, enabling brands to turn everyday spaces into immersive experiences.
· It unlocks new possibilities for fan engagement, allowing viewers to step into their favorite stories and become part of the narrative.

AR/VR Capsules

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India takes AI vision and startup energy to Europe, seeks global tech…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined India's vision for Artificial Intelligence at the 10th edition of the VivaTech Summit in Paris. He emphasized the importance of democratizing AI to ensure its benefits reach everyone. Modi rolled out the red carpet for top tech companies, easing regulations and expanding ease of doing business. The India pavilion showcased emerging technologies, including AI solutions for detecting cancers and advanced genetic engineering therapies. Modi highlighted India's AI prowess, citing examples such as Sarlaben, a voice-first AI assistant for dairy farmers. He also discussed India's achievements in space technology and digital payments.

💡 India's AI vision is a significant step towards global tech partnerships, as it seeks to democratize AI benefits and drive economic growth. By showcasing its AI prowess and digital achievements, India is positioning itself as a world leader in technology, with the potential to transform global industries and economies.

forbes.com · Jun 19

At AWE 2026, Spatial Computing Grows Up And AI Is Now The…

At the Augmented World Expo (AWE) 2026, the tech industry showcased a significant shift in spatial computing, transitioning from experimental novelty to practical, AI-driven applications. The event highlighted a move towards utility over spectacle, with AI enabling spatial interactions that understand user context. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel unveiled "Specs" smart glasses, demonstrating advanced AR/XR capabilities, and the open-source "Sneeze" browser engine was introduced to standardize 3D spatial content delivery. The industry's focus is on integrating AI into XR for more useful and contextual experiences.

💡 The shift towards practical AI-driven spatial computing applications has significant implications for the future of human-computer interaction, potentially rendering smartphones less dominant as the primary interface for computing.

digitaltrends.com · Jun 19

Pixi wants to replace your boring text messages with AR characters that…

Pixi Platform has launched a new app called Pixi Garden, which allows users to send interactive augmented reality characters through iMessage. These characters, called "pixis," come alive through the recipient's phone camera and react to their surroundings using onboard AI and machine learning sensors. The app offers 3D characters, such as a robot and a cat, as well as simple games like tic-tac-toe and whack-a-mole. The processing happens directly on the iPhone, ensuring no data leaves the device. The app is currently available for iPhone 11 and newer, with plans for Android and other messaging platforms. The goal is to replace traditional greeting cards with interactive AR characters. The app is free and available through the App Store.

💡 By bringing interactive AR characters to messaging, Pixi Garden has the potential to redefine the way people communicate and express themselves. Interactive characters that respond to their environment could create a new level of emotional connection in digital communication.

techcrunch.com · Jun 18

After unveiling ridiculously expensive AR glasses, Snap’s stock takes a dive

Snap's highly anticipated AR glasses, Specs, had a disappointing debut, with the company's stock plummeting over 5% after the launch. The glasses, which retail at nearly $2,200, have raised concerns about their profitability, particularly given Snap's core user demographic of teenagers who may not have the financial means to afford them. The stock has been struggling, dropping 30% over the past year, and has yet to recover from the announcement. Snap's CEO, Evan Spiegel, defended the price, comparing Specs to high-end computers and laptops.

💡 Snap's pricey AR glasses may be a non-starter for its core user base, threatening the company's business model and potentially limiting the product's market potential. The high cost of Specs may force Snap to reevaluate its target audience and pricing strategy, making it a crucial test for the company's ability to adapt to changing consumer demands.

techopedia.com · Jun 18

Snap Bets Its Specs AR Glasses Can Move Computing Beyond the Phone

Snap has announced its new Specs smart glasses, a wearable computer with augmented reality capabilities, available for preorder at $2,195. The device is expected to ship this fall in the US, UK, and France. Specs aim to move computing beyond phones and computers, with a fully standalone device featuring a 51-degree field of view, hand tracking, and contextual AI assistance. The high price point makes it unlikely to become a mass-market gadget, but it showcases Snap's determination to lead in the post-smartphone device race. CEO Evan Spiegel calls Specs the beginning of a new era in computing, putting computing into the world.

💡 By creating a device that fills the gap between AI glasses and headsets, Snap may establish an early lead in the emerging market for augmented reality devices. Occupying the middle ground between ease of wear and immersive experience could create a significant opportunity for the company.

9to5google.com · Jun 17

Samsung Galaxy XR pre-orders open in UK, available July 8

The Samsung Galaxy XR is now available for pre-order in the UK, with a July 8 release date. The headset, which has received updates to enhance its standalone experience, features a Snapdragon XR+ Gen 2 chip, 4K micro-OLED screen, and up to 2.5 hours of battery life. The device will be priced at £1,699 and will be available at various Samsung experience events across the UK. The Galaxy XR is a tethered experience, designed to work in conjunction with Windows PCs and potentially MacOS in the future.

💡 The Galaxy XR's high price point and limited appeal may indicate a shift in consumer demand for standalone AR headsets, forcing Samsung to reevaluate its strategy in the emerging market. The device's pricing and performance may also set a precedent for future AR products, influencing the direction of the industry.