Snapchat App Introduces Video Call and Text Chat Functions for iPhone, Android
On Thursday, Snapchat announced the addition of two new features to their impermanent messaging service: texting and face-to-face video chatting.
Snapchat, the messaging app that allows users to send photos that vanish after a few seconds, will now allow greater opportunities for different forms of communication, Tech Crunch reports.
As the format currently stands, users send photos back and forth with captions that have a limited number of characters.
With the new additions to the app, users will now be able to chat on a texting interface. Users will be able to swipe on a friend's name in the Snapchat inbox to enter a new chat screen, then write and send text messages, in addition to snaps, photos or videos from the phone's camera roll.
While there will no longer be a sticker, there will be a new button at the bottom of the screen. Whenever the button turns blue, it means that a friend is currently in the chat screen, reading a user's messages. If the button is pushed, it will start a call. If the other person hits the button as well, a user will be able to see both ends of the call simultaneously.
Similar to snapping, the user will need to keep their finger on the screen to keep the video call active. Below the user's finger, there will be a thumbnail of the camera, and the rest of the screen will be filled with the user's friend's face. If the user removes their finger, they will only see their friend, and not their own face.
To switch from the front-facing camera to the back camera, users can drag their fingers to the upper half of the screen, and the camera will switch.
When a user is done with their call and/or chat, the chat history will be erased. However, individual messages can be saved.
While the update had not yet debuted on the Play Store or the App Store by Thursday morning, it will reportedly be available Thursday afternoon.