New Snapchat Update Includes Real-Time Video Chatting, Auto-Advance Stories -- Details Here

On March 29, Snapchat announced a new update called Chat 2.0, which includes real-time video chatting. The recent redesign added audio notes, video notes and stickers, as well.

In its blog post, Snapchat shared details on the upgrades users can expect, including being able to tap on their friends' names to instantly enter a video chat with them. You can also share a song or any interesting items. If the other party is offline, you can send a sticker or an audio note. This is in addition to the approximately 200 stickers that are searchable via keywords. 

When the company started the app in May 2014, the primary goal was to provide a seamless communication experience among its users. The 1.0 version did fulfill the basic components of online chatting, like telling the other party when a contact was typing or listening. Two years later, this goal was enhanced to cover face-to-face encounters and other more advanced features. 

The Verge went into detail on the multimedia perks offered by Snapchat 2.0. The controls have now been made simpler, so users can start a video call or dial a friend, who is not present in the chat. Users can also switch back and forth between audio and video while chatting.

This feature allows users to access their camera roll from the messaging screen by tapping the photo icon and selecting photos and videos to send to friends. You can also share photos while on a video chat. So far, these changes provide Snapchat an advantage over other video chatting apps like FaceTime, Skype or Facebook Messenger.

“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. When that’s possible, you aren’t texting, calling, or video chatting… you’re just talking. We’ve been working on this redesign for a while -- we can’t wait to hear what you think!” Snapchat wrote.

Snapchat continued that they also provided Auto-Advance Stories, which is the fastest approach to getting in touch with friends. As soon as users finish one Story, they can begin the next immediately. Swipe to skip to the next or pull down to close. The company also refreshed their Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, which will create foundations for their future products.