Snapchat parent company Snap Inc. revealed some new features to its app Tuesday, including group video chat with up to 16 people and voice-only chat with up to 32.
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The group video chat update takes a note from Facebook Messenger’s group video chat option introduced in 2016.
To use group video chat, all users must be in an existing or new Snapchat group chat. Once the group chat is selected, click the red video camera icon to send everyone a notification to pick up.
Snap Inc.’s chat also retains Snapchat’s usual features, such as the option to send texts during the call and use augmented reality face filters (or Lenses).
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“We designed Chat to feel less like texting and more like hanging out,” the announcement reads. “That’s why when a friend opens Chat, their Bitmoji pops up to say ‘I’m here!’ — and why your chat conversations aren’t saved forever, by default,” the company wrote in a blog post.
Another new feature gives users the ability to tag friends in Stories, something Facebook-owned Instagram has been offering for some time. Simply type “@” followed by the username you’re trying to mention. That user will then receive a notification that they’ve been tagged.
The new group video chat update will start rolling out globally this week, according to the company. The tagging feature will also become available soon.
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