- Thu, March 31st, 2016
Erica Perry
- Tech
Snapchat made some huge changes to its app to allow users an entirely new way of communicating with each other, especially in real-time.
Snapchat made some significant updates to its app enhancing the way users can chat with each other via video, audio, and so much more.
If you opened Snapchat after updating the app, you should have seen the introductory video from the company on the Discover page. Snapchat introduced the newly launched Chat 2.0, and here’s what it includes:
Auto-advancing Snapchat stories
After viewing a friend’s story, Snapchat previously brought you back to your feed. After this update, Snapchat automatically serves you the next story in your queue, without the need to click on the user’s thumbnail. To advance to the next Story section, just swipe left. Or, to exit completely, swipe down.
Stickers, stickers, and more stickers
Chat 2.0 comes with over 200 stickers that can be used in a private chat with another user. To access the library of stickers, simply click the icon of a smiley face with its tongue sticking out. In each chat you have with another user, your most used stickers will be displayed. You can even search for keywords for related stickers to appear.
Video Notes
You can now send 10-second video clips to friends that loop that look a lot like GIFs!
Audio Notes
If you are unable to type or send a video note (or you’re in a private setting and don’t want the other person to see), you can send a voice snippet to another user.
Video and Audio Calls
Just like the “phone” part of your mobile device, video and audio calls can be sent even when two users aren’t already chatting with each another (previously, that was the only way to have a real-time call with friends). During these calls, photos from your camera roll can be sent to the other user without leaving the app or disrupting the call.
Photo exchanging
You’re now able to send more than one photo simultaneously in a private chat, and apply filters or overlay them with typed text with your phone’s keyboard or manually via your phone’s touch-screen.
In the company’s official announcement, Snapchat claimed, “What we love most about the new Chat is how easily you can transition between all these ways of communicating — just like you do in person.”
As the new Privacy Center emphasizes, “We don’t stockpile your private communication, and we don’t show your friends an ongoing history of everything you’ve ever posted. On Snapchat, you choose when and how to express yourself and to whom.”
