To start a group video chat, users just need to tap the video camera icon when inside of an existing group. Friends will see a notification and can accept or decline to join the video chat. Snapchat will also allow users to join with a voice call without the video feed, which will also allow more than 16 friends to join.
The update keeps Snapchat’s usual chat features too, which are Lenses, or augmented reality face filters. Lenses is also still available inside a group video chat along with the option to send text messages during the call.
Snapchat says the feature is designed to help make the chat tools more fun. “We designed Chat to feel less like texting and more like hanging out,” the announcement reads. “That’s why when a friend opens Chat, their Bitmoji pops up to say ‘I’m here!’ — and why your chat conversations aren’t saved forever, by default.”
Previously, video chats were only available one-on-one, not inside of a group. Allowing 16 people to video chat at once surpasses competing apps like Google Hangouts. And while Messenger can allow video chats for up to 50 people, once groups are larger than six, all the videos are not displayed at once, but show only the person speaking.
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