Buzz
There was a time when Snapchat truly exploded onto the scene, becoming extremely popular among smartphone users worldwide. So, what exactly is Snapchat? What distinctive features does this app possess? Check out the following overview for insights.
What is Snapchat?
Snapchat is both a messaging platform and a social network. It cannot be accessed through regular web browsers and only exists as a mobile app, available for download on iOS or Android smartphones.
In a nutshell, Snapchat is a game-changing app that alters how people interact with friends compared to popular social networks like Facebook and Twitter. It may not be suitable for everyone, especially older individuals, but Snapchat is undoubtedly one of the trendiest apps for tech-savvy young smartphone users, including teens and young adults.
Users can engage in conversations with friends by sending them short photos and videos, known as Snaps, which last a maximum of 10 seconds. Think of it as texting through images or videos. Text chatting and video calls are two additional features recently added to the app.
What sets Snapchat apart from conventional social networks?
One of the most unique aspects of Snapchat is the ephemeral nature of all shared content. Essentially, photos and videos disappear after a few seconds once the recipient has viewed them.
Unlike other social networks that keep your content online indefinitely unless you decide to delete it, Snapchat's auto-disappearing feature makes online interactions feel more human and grounded at the current moment. You don't have to worry much about the number of likes or comments a 'perfect' photo might receive because it will vanish in just a few seconds. The only interaction you can get is a photo, video, or chat reply.
Additionally, Snapchat boasts another convenient feature contributing to its popularity—a simple drawing tool. Users can easily doodle, draw on photos, and insert text onto images before sending. This feature is a standout for young users leveraging this social platform as a creative outlet.
Snapchat Lenses
One of Snapchat's most popular features is Lenses, allowing users to add real-time special effects and sounds, alter voices in videos, swap faces with friends, or even overlay a face from the photo library onto yours.
Engaging Snapchat Stories
One popular feature within this application is Snapchat Stories. Users can curate photos/videos for all their friends to view and publish them as a Story. Unlike regular Snaps, Stories exist for 24 hours and can be viewed multiple times. Teens often favor this feature as it allows them to share snapshots of their life in the past 24 hours with all their friends. Additionally, there's an option to publicly share your story using the Our Story feature. Moreover, Snapchat users can browse through stories published by popular brands and celebrities.
Snapchat Memories Unleashed
Snapchat now enables users to upload photos and saved Snaps from their device's photo album. Snapchat Memories is designed for users to showcase their photos from the app. Users can also search through memories using various keywords associated with the photos, such as cats, hugs, selfies, etc. Memories can be shared as a story, directly shared with another friend, or by letting friends view the album in real life. Users have the option to hide imported photos into Memories by moving them to the 'My eyes only' folder protected by a password.
Snapchat Unveils Discover and Live Stories
Snapchat now presents a range of news and entertainment videos on its 'Discover' feature. Here, you have the privilege to access articles and videos from their media partners. These bite-sized snaps make it easy for you to stay updated on your favorite brands.
Accessing Snapchat Discover is at the bottom right of the screen, and scrolling through content is done there. However, the risk for young users is unfiltered content, exposing them to news or articles in an inappropriate style for their age.
Some Other Exciting Features
Group Chat
Snapchat also allows users to initiate group chats. You can create groups while sending Snaps or starting a new chat. When your friends are present in the group chat, their names are displayed at the end of the chat. Users can click on their friends' names to start a 1:1 conversation right within the group chat.
Group chats sent will be automatically deleted after 24 hours by default. Snaps sent to a group can be opened and replayed by each recipient only once. If a Snap is not opened, it is deleted after 24 hours, similar to chats.
Snap Map
Snapchat's latest update introduces a new location-sharing feature. Snap Map allows you to see where your Snapchat contacts are, share your current location, and view Snaps from Snapchat users nearby or at specific events or locations. The location-sharing feature is available for users worldwide.
In summary, Snapchat is a mobile messaging and social networking app with many unique features. While not widely popular in Vietnam, it's still worth using with your friends as it's completely free and provides incredibly enjoyable experiences that similar apps may not deliver.
