Snapchat is one of the most popular forms of social media at McLean–48 percent of students at McLean use it.* On September 15, these Snapchat enthusiasts updated their app to find plenty of new features, but not all of them are obvious at first. Users can now use animated filters called lenses, earn trophies and admire them in the trophy case, change their friend emoji and pay for extra snap replays.
LENSES
Now, Snapchatters can take pictures and videos using animated filters, known as lenses. By holding down on one’s face in the forward-facing camera, making sure it is centered in the picture, Snapchatters can activate this feature. The lens options should appear at the bottom of the screen next to the camera button. To stop using these lenses, simply press the “x” at the bottom of the screen. New lenses rotate through each day.
TROPHY CASE
For doing different things on Snapchat or reaching new snap scores, app users can now earn trophies and view them in the trophy case feature. The trophies are awarded for a variety of things including using a filter, sending a video without sound, sending a snap using five or more pen colors and many more.
The trophy case can be reached by selecting the trophy at the top of the profile screen.
In a previous update, Snapchat added buddy emojis to show which friends were a user’s best friends, which ones had an ongoing snap streak and multiple other things. The classic happy face, sunglasses face, grimacing face and other emojis can now be changed to any chosen emoji out of a wide selection.
The feature to change the buddy emojis is under settings, and “manage” under additional services. Snapchatters can then edit their friend emojis and see what each one means.
REPLAYS
Snaps received from others could already be replayed, but only once a day. Now, snaps can be replayed for a price of three for $0.99, ten for $2.99 and 20 for $4.99.
DISCONTENT
Despite the large numbers of people who enjoy the new Snapchat features, there is also a large group of app users who find it impossible to use the new features on their phones.
Snapchat released a disclaimer with the update that it “only works on newer Android devices.” Still, based on angry reviews in the Google Play Store, it seems like many people are in an uproar about not being able to use the new functions.
Nevertheless, the update has pleased many; in McLean, 61% are happy with Snapchat’s new features.*
*Based on a survey of 27 students.