This isn’t the next Facebook.
This is a social operating system.

Every existing app and platform can already benefit from becoming Lens-compatible. When developers “port” their apps over it’s positive-sum for everyone. More Data + More Users = More Value.

To those building natively here:
There is room for apps of all scales and purposes, similar to a desktop or mobile operating system. Some apps here will become giants akin to Microsoft Office, Google Chrome, or Adobe Photoshop—universal platforms that become integral to the user's experience. These 'giant' apps are used by virtually everyone because of their broad utility and the network effects that come with widespread adoption.

Meanwhile, other apps will carve out their own niches, much like CCleaner, Notepad++, VLC, or WinZip. These are the 'utility' apps that perform specific tasks exceptionally well. They may not be universally known but they garner loyal user bases because they fill a need, solve a problem, or simply do their job better than any other app out there.

I encourage every dev right now to take a moment and look at the apps installed on their device. Lens has the capacity to host a similar diversity of applications, each contributing to the overall “Social Operating System” experience in its own unique way. Rather than compete with Facebook I would recommend building with the “Operating System” framework in mind and trying to solve your own niche problem/task first.

Not everything has to compete with Facebook’s scale!

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A fun brainstorming game to play
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Find an App or System Setting in your device’s OS and then ask ChatGPT for the Social OS equivalent.

Use this prompt:
I'm building apps on Lens (a new social networking protocol) and I'm told to think of it not as a Facebook competitor but as a new Social Operating System. They say there's room for apps at all levels, the same as a desktop or mobile operating system. So in that context, what would be the “Google Maps” of this OS?

• Social Network Navigation App: This app would map out the social connections between users, helping them navigate through their relationships. It could provide insights into how different users are connected, recommend potential new connections based on shared interests or mutual friends, and suggest paths for reaching out to new people.

• Event Discovery and Navigation App: This app could help users find and navigate to events within the social network. Just as Google Maps can help you find physical events and navigate to them, this app could help you find online events happening within the social network and guide you on how to participate.

• Content Discovery and Navigation App: This app would guide users through the vast amount of content available in the network. It could use algorithms to recommend content based on users' preferences and behavior, help users explore new types of content, and provide tools to navigate through different content categories.

• Trend Mapping App: This app could track and visualize trends within the social network. It could show what topics are currently popular, how trends evolve over time, and how they spread across the network.

What would be the Logic Pro?

• Social Media Music Studio: This app would allow users to create, edit, and mix music or audio tracks directly within the social OS. Users could then share their creations on their social profiles or collaborate with others. Features might include various sound samples, mixing tools, and the ability to record directly into the app.

• Podcast Creation App: This app would provide all the tools necessary to record, edit, and publish podcasts. It could also integrate with various social platforms to promote episodes, engage with listeners, and gather analytics.

• Audio Storytelling App: This app could provide a platform for users to create and share audio stories or spoken word content. It could offer tools for adding sound effects, music, and other audio enhancements.

• Collaborative Music App: This app would allow users to collaborate on music projects, providing a shared space where they can contribute tracks, mix together, and share their creations.

What would be the utility apps?


• Privacy Management App
• Content Scheduling App
• Analytics App
• Curation App
• Identity Verification App
• Anti-Harassment App
• Cross-Platform Search App

There’s a ton of opportunity here to build social apps which can sustain your lifestyle without needing to reach 1 billion users.