Snapchat will be launching several new features this week. One of the most talked about feature is the ability to make group video calls. According to the announcement, iOS and Android users will be able to make group video chats with up to 16 friends at one point in time, or 32 people can join the chat if they use the voice only feature.
To start a group video chat, users will either have to enter an existing group chat or create a new group and then tap the video icon. Every group member in that chat will get a notification that people in the chat are starting a group video call. As any member decides to participate in this chat, their name bubble will light up above the keyboard to confirm that they are on the call. If any member in the chat doesn’t want to use their camera, they will be able to choose a chat entry option that only uses their voice and can toggle between video and voice as per their convenience. For video chats, Snapchat’s usual face lenses will be available as they chat.
Currently, Snapchat has a video chat option available, however, only two users are able to video chat. This new feature will be rolled out to users over the next week or so.
Additionally, Snapchat has also introduced a feature known as “Mentions” that lets users tag friends in snaps which are uploaded onto Stories. This way viewers looking at that story can swipe up to watch the tagged friends public story, and they will be able to get an option to add them as a friend. Users will get a notification in the chat window if someone tags them in a story.
These new features are surely going to keep Snapchat users engaged and occupied on the app for a longer period of time. Snap’s growth rate has gradually increased. In North America alone, the daily active users’ rate has grown by 17.7 percent in the last quarter from the previous year. Internal reports are showing that users are spending more time on Snapchat as compared to Instagram.
