Snapchat Update: Leak Reveals New Features Include Video, Chat Messaging

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New features of Snapchat leaked online as developers posted screenshots of what could be the latest features in video and chat messaging. These added features could make Snapchat at par with its competitors like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Google Hangouts.

Tech Crunch reports that the app may be adding enhanced audio and video call feature to a mostly text-based interface. Inspired by Asian messaging app WeChat, which Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel greatly admires, the app may also plan on adding stickers to its interface.

While Snapchat already supports video calling, it is a little difficult to use since both users need to be online at the same time. This may be less practical compared to features found in other messaging apps. More so, there are other apps that offer unconventional ways for people to stay in touch. There are apps that let you stream videos to thousands of people. Musicians may stream video of their practice sessions and electronically collect tips from their fans.

More so, LA Times reports that Snapchat focusing on its chat function may lure more time for its users who already spend a lot of time on the app watching football highlights, reading the news and posting pictures. This speculation may be true as software developers who regularly checks Snapchat's programming code found changes that might be improve calling and sharing features of the app. Snapchat has earlier called this the "v2" of its chat window.

See leaked photos posted by Tech Crunch by clicking this link.

One of the developers, Marcell Meszaros, has confirmed the findings to LA Times. He added that Snapchat is also trying to experiment on a new video-editing tool that reverses playback.

Snapchat has not announced its plans yet and has declined for a comment.

With these changes, Snapchat chat box would look like Facebook Messenger. This is not a surprising decision, though, according to the news site. Its rivals are getting revenue from video advertising boasting billions of views they get from their users daily.

With Snapchat's earlier experiment of charging in-app selfies lenses falling this month, the business is still in a lookout for increasing the business, the news site speculated. Digital sticker is a lucrative business that WeChat and Line are making millions from.

While the leaked images may suggest that Snapchat is experimenting with a new design, it doesn't mean that these changes will be rolled out. It is highly possible that Snapchat may apply a new design that may look different from what was posted.

Not a Snapchat user yet? Check out the video below for a quick demo of its feature: