Snapchat is expanding its group chats, so users can now video chat with as many as 16 people at a time.
While a 16-person video chat may seem impractical, Snapchat’s blog post announcing the update suggests the feature will make group chats “feel less like texting and more like hanging out.” Except unlike hanging out in person, video chat participants will be able to use Snapchat’s famous Lenses to spice up their conversations.
Once users are in a group (texting) chat, they can tap the camera icon in the corner of the chat screen to invite the rest of the group to a video conversation. Group chat members will then get invites to take part in the video chat, which they can join on a video, audio-only, or text messaging basis. A group chat can include a mix of all three.
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According to The Verge, up to 32 people can join a Snapchat group chat if they’re only using audio. (Perhaps this feature aims to serve businesses looking for an alternative to traditional conference calls?) The Verge also reported that Instagram has been experimenting with voice and video chatting. If such features come to fruition, it would mark yet another Snapchat feature that Instagram has decided to mimick, following filters, live video, and disappearing direct messages, among others.
In addition to the new group video chat feature, Snapchat also introduced mentions, à la Twitter. Friends can “@” others’ usernames to tag them in snaps.
These latest moves by the social media company follow closely behind multiple rounds of layoffs at Snap and an attempt to expand Snapchat’s reach to older demographics. The company aired a TV commercial for the first time last night, during the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament.
