Snapchat adds Audio and Video calls in Chat 2.0

Snapchat has recently unveiled a huge update to it’s popular messaging app, ‘Chat 2.0’, giving apps such as FaceTime, Skype, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp some new competition. New functions include support for both Video and Audio Calls, allowing you to transition effortlessly between all communications mediums, whether that be text, voice or video.

“We want Chat to be the best way to communicate -second only to hanging out face-to-face” – Snapchat

Video and Audio Calls can be initiated even if the recipient isn’t already chatting with you and during these calls you can simultaneously send camera roll photos to show someone something, and they appear translucent overlaid on the chat window. Snapchat even intelligently tells anyone calling that you’re “unavailable” if you miss their call, or that you “can’t talk right now” if you purposefully silence it.

While Video Notes lets you record and send a quick 10-second max thumbnail sized GIF like loop so you can react with facial expressions. Audio Notes works similarly, allowing you to send short voice snippets when you’re moving and can’t type, or have something to say.

Better yet, Chat 2.0 lets both you and your conversation partner toggle on the fly between Video and Audio Calls, Video and Audio Notes, Stickers, and Text as your environments or intentions change, allowing you to start or stop transmitting and just listen or watch.

“What we love most about the new chat is how easily you can transition between all these ways of communicating — just like you do in person,”  – Snapchat

Chat 2.0 also includes a feature called auto-advance stories, which means when you have finished watching a friend’s ‘story’ in the app or swipe left, the story of your next friend in your list will begin automatically. Boosting view counts and encouraging posting.

Over 200 stickers are also now available in private chat and Snapchat has acquired Bitstrips for around £706,000 which will allow you to create personalised emojis called bitmojis.

According to the Financial Times, you can also now access web pages within the app for the first time, an attractive feature for marketers who can direct customers to shop online without leaving the app.