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Snapchat videos get slow-motion, fast-forward and rewind filters
Snapchat's focus of late has been on showcasing mainstream content, while simultaneously continuing to enhance its core business: quick-and-dirty pictures and videos. To make those even more entertaining, the Snapchat apps for iOS and Android are now getting slow-motion, fast-forward and rewind filters, which the startup is calling Speed Modifiers. Once you record a clip, all you have to do is swipe to try each one of them out. In addition to that, iPhone 6s and 6s Plus users are getting something a little extra, with the application now supporting Apple's 3D Touch feature. Force pressing your home screen's Snapchat icon will give you easy access to two options: Chat With and Add Friends, both self-explanatory. It'll be interesting to see how creative people's snaps get with the new filters.
Time's up for Snapchat's original content
A service built on the two pillars of ephemerality and genitals was always going to be an unlikely destination for entertainment content. That's why it comes as little surprise that Snapchat is closing down Snap Channel, its portal for homegrown "TV" shows. According to Deadline Hollywood, the firm has also let go of Marcus Wiley, a high-profile comedy development executive that was hired in May of this year. Snap Channel had been withdrawn a few weeks ago, with Wiley charged with remaking the outlet in his own image. Unfortunately, original programming, much of it scripted, would have cost far more money than Snapchat wanted to spend. Now, the service will stick with using third-party content from other networks to provide a polite veneer behind which all those genital pictures can hide.
Burberry teams up with Snapchat to preview new collection
Burberry continues to prove that it's one of the most tech-minded fashion houses today. The British brand has joined forces with Snapchat to give fans a glimpse of its Spring 2016 lineup from its design studio before it's showcased at London Fashion Week. Also, the company will be posting behind-the-scenes snaps to show how it's preparing for the big event. You can see these pre-show snaps starting on September 20th, Sunday, at 2PM Eastern, if you add the luxury brand's account. In addition, Burberry will be posting photos and videos through Snapchat's Live Stories feature once the show begins. Like any Live Stories content, though, the posts will vanish into the ether after 24 hours.
Snapchat is bringing content from the NFL to its Live Stories feature
The NFL has deals in place to push content to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other places, and now it's heading to Snapchat. The ephemeral messaging app made a one-year deal with the league that will deliver photos and videos to its Live Stories feature. According to Re/code, the agreement runs through the Super Bowl in February and will feature at least one Live Story each weekend. There's also the possibility for more content centered around Monday and Thursday games. In fact, tomorrow night's Denver vs. Kansas City game will be covered by the app.
Snapchat lets you replay those epic selfies, if you're willing to pay
Being able to revisit one snap a day is quite limiting, but if you're willing to fork over some cash, you can get more looks. Snapchat announced today that users in the US can buy extra replays for $1. You'll be able to view three snaps once more after paying up, but you'll only be able to take another peek once per image/video. So if you really need to have another look, you can do just that for a buck. What's more, the app now offers a Lenses feature that allows you to add some flair to those selfies and trophies make their debut. If your trusty mobile device hasn't alerted you to the update just yet, mosey on over to your app store of choice to nab it. [Image credit: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Snapchat's new update goes easy on your data, heavy on emoji
Snapchat rolled out a pair of new features for the photo and video sharing app (for both iOS and Android) designed to reduce the amount of data it uses while increasing the number of ways users can employ emoji. Travel Mode will disable the app from automatically preloading data-intensive Stories while the device is on a cellular connection. Once enabled, you'll need to tap on each Story for it to load (though you won't have to keep pressing). Access this feature through the Manage screen (just click the gear icon in the top right of the screen).
Snapchat's 'tap to view' takes your fingers off the screen
Snapchat announced a host of new features for its messaging app on Wednesday. The biggest change is the new "tap to view" feature that, as the name implies, allows users to simply tap the screen to play a video or story rather than continuously press and hold. Additionally, Snapchat now offers two-factor authentication, which you should enable right now. The app has also rejiggered the ways you can add friends. The new Add Nearby function will allow groups of people in close proximity to add one another to their friends list en masse while the addition of a selfie into the center of your snapcode lets people immediately know it's you.
Facebook wants to give your photo uploads a Snapchat-like flair
Facebook may be not as in tune with the teen crowd as Snapchat, but that isn't stopping it from trying to fit in. TechCrunch has discovered that Facebook is testing an iOS photo uploader that lets you overlay Snapchat-like filters, stickers and text on pictures as you post them. While it's not exactly a subtle attempt at riding the coattails of a fast-rising rival, it does show that the social network has ditched writing me-too apps in favor of adding features you're more likely to use. Whether or not you see this uploader any time soon is another matter. Facebook regularly experiments with features, and it wouldn't be surprising if the revamped software sees a lot of tweaks (assuming it makes the cut) before you get to try it yourself.
ICYMI: A new naval launcher, Halo on HoloLens and more
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-414460{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-414460, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-414460{width:570px;display:block;} try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-414460").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: The Sandia National Labs robot that walked for two and a half hours on 350 watts of power; the amazing Halo 5 HoloLens demo that makes me want to pick up a gun (virtually of course); and the new electromagnetic aircraft launcher the Navy is having way too much fun testing out.
Snapchat CEO posts a grainy video explaining how his app works
Snapchat may be four years old and raking in tons of investment money, but that isn't stopping the messaging service from acting like a basement-based startup from 2007. The company has posted a an extra low-quality (240p!), obviously handheld video where CEO Evan Spiegel explains his app's functionality and popularity using little more than hand-drawn sketches. The lack of production values is frankly baffling (splurge on a camcorder and a tripod, Mr. Spiegel, you've earned it). However, this grainy clip is at least insightful -- you'll find out why Snapchat relies on a swipe-driven interface, why the younger crowd likes the service so much and why the Stories feature is so important. We've reached out to Snapchat to unravel the mystery behind this footage, but it's still worth watching even without the missing context.
Snapchat for iOS switches cameras with a double-tap
If you're recording a Snapchat clip on your iPhone, it's now much easier to show friends both your handsome face and whatever you're looking at. The video messaging service has updated its iOS app with a feature that switches between the front and rear cameras with a double-tap of the screen. Snapchat is also tackling some of its security woes by optionally sending an SMS code to make sure that it's really you signing in. There's no mention of a corresponding Android upgrade, but it's easy to see that coming soon. [Image credit: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images]
Tinder sneaks ads for albums into your dating profiles
There comes a point in every zeitgeisty app's life when it wonders if it should stop eating nothing but Doritos and having those drunken one-night stands and become a mature, serious business. We've already seen Snapchat evolve from a way to distribute pictures of your genitals to a news broadcast system, and now Tinder is seriously considering becoming a music promoter. The dating app has just signed a deal with Interscope Records to promote the new album from Russian DJ Zedd.
Snapchat is getting a Sofia Vergara video series
If you ask Fusion, Snapchat's Discover portal isn't just for keeping up with daily events -- it's also about following the lives of the Hollywood elite. The media company is launching a six-episode Snapchat series this summer that covers Modern Family star Sofia Vergara's career from the viewpoint of her son Manolo. Vergaraland, as it's called, will shoot vertically to match Snapchat's signature format. You might not necessarily be enthralled by the idea, but it shows that Discover is big enough that TV celebs and bigger video outlets are taking notice. [Image credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP]
Snapchat adds sharing tools to its news discovery portal
Snapchat's curated selection of news stories called Discover is reportedly in trouble, with traffic dropping significantly since its debut back in January. That's probably why the company has introduced a new function that lets you share articles and videos straight from the portal to your friends. Whenever you find something worth showing to other people, just press the screen and wait for the new tools to pop out. You can type a caption and/or write on the snapshot of the page with a digital marker, then you can send it out to pals you choose as you would any other "snap." In addition to Discover's new sharing function, you can now also take zoomed in videos by dragging your finger across the screen while recording. We took Discover's new tools for a spin and embedded some samples below the fold, but you can try them out yourself after downloading the latest app refresh from iTunes or Google Play.
Snapchat hires a top CNN reporter to oversee its news
Snapchat just showed how serious it is about turning its mobile video messaging service into your news hub. The company has hired Peter Hamby, one of CNN's best political reporters, to oversee its news efforts. He'll still contribute to the TV network through 2016, but his top priority will be the internet startup. As to what Hamby will actually do in his new job? He's not spilling the beans, but his interest in Snapchat's live stories suggests that you'll see more on-the-ground coverage of unfolding events. You may well find yourself using a single app to both catch up on the day's happenings and share gossip with your friends.
Vertical videos are here to stay thanks to apps like Snapchat
If you despise vertical or portrait video as much as some of us do, bad news: according to recent comments from ad agencies and media executives, you'll be seeing a lot more of them. The awkward format has been in our crosshairs since the iPhone 4 came out in 2010 and we felt the need to explain how to fix it. It's used by cellphone-wielders who are either too lazy to turn their phone 90 degrees or are just unaware that they should. The result is video that's okay on smartphones but horrible on computer screens or TVs due to unsightly vertical bars. In addition, Snapchat and new livestreaming apps like Periscope and Meerkat will soon make the format seem normal for many users.
Now only you will know who your Snapchat bestie is
Used to be that anyone with you in their contacts could see who you've sent the most pictures to simply by looking at your "Best Friends" list. For a service that sells itself by promising privacy, this seemed a glaringly public oversight. That's why Snapchat has replaced the BF list with friend emojis that only you can see on incoming snaps. Each of the six new emoji represent different relationship statuses -- a Gold Heart, for example, means "You're #1 Best Friends" while Sunglasses means that you and the sender share a mutual friend. There's even an NBA Jam-esque "Fire" emoji that activates when you and the sender trade snaps on consecutive days and a "Needs Love" notification in case you haven't snapped a selfie to a bestie in a while. It's interesting to see Snapchat employing the same sorts of behavioral triggers that free-to-play games do, what with the streak rewards and apathy alarms to keep users snapping, for an app that doesn't actually charge for its service.
Recommended Reading: The record-breaking all-electric '68 Mustang
Recommended Reading highlights the best long-form writing on technology and more in print and on the web. Some weeks, you'll also find short reviews of books that we think are worth your time. We hope you enjoy the read. Dark Horse by Michael Zelenko The Verge Converting one of the most beloved American muscle cars to an all-electric machine sounds crazy enough, but Mitch Medford wanted much more than that. After putting 800 horsepower's worth of batteries, converters and motors in a 1968 Mustang, he eyed the record for that model: the 170MPH mark set by Carroll Shelby himself -- a man that's synonymous with these classic cars in the States. In fact, some models of Ford's iconic two-door still bear his name. The Verge chronicles the story of the Zombie 222's (as it's called) origins and Medford's quest for history at the Texas Mile.
Snapchat transparency report shows cops don't care about your junk
Snapchat's spent the better part of the last year doing its best to dispel the notion that it's just an insecure way of letting people see your genitals. It's already started to refashion itself as a media platform and a money wire service, but now the company is introducing transparency reports to show that you can trust it. Unlike others in the tech space, Snapchat didn't wait a full six months before revealing how many requests it received, so this first report only covers the four months between November '14 and February '15.
Is Snapchat getting $200 million from China's online shopping giant?
Think you get a lot of value out of Snapchat's disappearing messages, payments and stories? You're not the only one. Bloomberg sources claim that Alibaba, China's online shopping behemoth, plans to invest $200 million into Snapchat on the assumption that it's worth $15 billion. That doesn't even include separate talks that are reportedly bent on raising another $500 million. It's not certain why Alibaba is so interested in the service, although its stake in smartphones is probably a big clue. The company wants to promote mobile shopping and otherwise get a foothold on your phone, and services like Snapcash would go a long way toward making that happen.
