Snapchat Introduces AI-Generated Videos and a Simpler App Design
- Simplified App Design: Snapchat is introducing a cleaner, easier-to-use version of its app. The new design removes Snap Maps and Stories from the home screen, making it less cluttered and more focused on core functions like chatting with friends, taking photos, and watching short-form videos.
- AI-Generated Videos for Creators: Snapchat has launched Snap AI Video, a tool that allows creators to generate videos from simple text prompts. Soon, creators will also be able to use image prompts to create AI-generated videos. The feature is currently in beta and only available to a small group of creators for testing.
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Aimed at Creators, Not the Public
For now, the AI video generation tool is only for a select group of creators and won’t be available to the general public. Any content made with the tool will include a visible watermark, even when shared or downloaded, to indicate that it was created using AI. Snapchat says it has thoroughly tested the tool to ensure it doesn’t produce harmful content.
This move puts Snapchat ahead of the game, as other platforms like Instagram and TikTok haven’t launched their own AI video generators yet. While competitors like OpenAI and Adobe are also working on similar tools, Snapchat is positioning itself as an early leader in this space.
Simple Snapchat: Aimed at Older Users
Snapchat’s new simpler version, called Simple Snapchat, is designed to make the app more accessible to users who found the old design too confusing. The app will now focus on just a few key features: chatting with friends, taking photos, and sharing short videos, similar to TikTok.
Although the Snap Map and Stories features are still available, they’ve been moved out of the home screen. Stories will now appear at the top of the Chat tab, while Snap Map can be found at the bottom. The navigation bar will feature three icons: chat on the left, camera in the middle, and Spotlight (Snapchat’s TikTok-like video feature) on the right.
One noticeable change is the removal of the Discover section, which used to showcase short-form videos from brands. However, some branded content will still appear in the Spotlight section.
Simple Snapchat is being tested with a small group of users in select countries. The company hopes that the streamlined design will make the app more appealing to older users, but there’s a bit of risk involved since Snapchat users haven’t always reacted well to big changes in the past.
AR Glasses for Developers
In addition to these changes, Snapchat also introduced the fifth generation of its Spectacles AR glasses. These glasses are only available to developers who are interested in building AR apps for the device. Developers will need to pay $99 a month for a year to get access to the glasses and continue creating content for them.
With these updates, Snapchat is looking to stay competitive by simplifying its app for everyday users and offering cutting-edge tools for creators. While the rollout is still limited, these changes show Snapchat’s commitment to innovation and keeping its platform fresh for both casual users and content creators.
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