Snapchat introduced the Happening Now service to quickly provide news to its users (File)
San Francisco:
Snapchat announced Thursday that it will release the latest news as the youth-focused social network unveils a series of new features focused on information, entertainment and well-being.
The California-based unit of parent company Snap Inc. introduced a Happening Now service to quickly provide news to its users.
Snapchat introduced the Happening Now service to quickly provide news to its users (File)
The list of Happening Now partners includes the Washington Post, NBC News, ESPN, E! News and BuzzFeed News.
Snap says many of its users already have news on Snapchat and that the new feature will deliver “the biggest stories across politics, entertainment, sports and more in a new easy-to-consume format customized for mobile.”
The news service will also highlight “Snaps” publicly shared by its users “because every day Snapchatters use phones to capture events around them,” the company said.
At the same time, Snap said it is working to reduce the stress and anxiety plaguing social networks that provide a platform for user content.
One of the new initiatives will be to offer meditation tools from the health technology group Headspace, which produces apps to relax the mind.
“We have found that an overwhelming majority of Snapchatters experience feelings of stress and anxiety and that their friends are the first people they turn to for help, more than professionals or even their parents. “said Snap.
The company will also accelerate the deployment of “Here For You”, an initiative aimed at helping people suffering from stress and emotional problems.
Snapchat claims it reaches 90% of 13-34 year olds in the U.S., and similar amounts in other markets, and sees an opportunity to connect them with wellness resources.
Opening its Snap Partner Summit, the social network with more than 200 million members unveiled other efforts to drive usage and engagement, including new gaming and entertainment features.
Snap has also announced extensive content agreements with Disney, ESPN, NBCUniversal, ViacomCBS and others to broadcast short videos that have been successful on the Snapchat Discover platform.
“The agreements also include the continuous delivery of the latest news for news, entertainment and key sporting moments,” said Snap.
“Visual search”
The new features of the Snapchat Camera platform for smartphones will provide users with additional augmented reality options and more.
The platform will offer extensive “visual search” functionality to help get information about something the user sees, such as plants or dogs. An analysis of packaged food will provide nutritional information about the products.
“It’s really about helping the camera help you live your life and enrich your life and have fewer divisions between the digital world,” said Caroline Arguelles of Snapchat Camera.
According to Snap, location functionality is added to custom maps that show popular spots in the Snapchat community, with information such as hours and reviews on millions of businesses around the world.
“We have also made it easier for their customers to re-engage when they reopen by offering free advertising credits,” said Snap.
(With the exception of the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
