Snapchat "Groups" enables group messaging

Via Dennizn

The makers of Snapchat, Snap Inc., announced on Tuesday a variety of new features, including a new group chat feature.

"Groups" is allows users to send pictures, video and text in a group of up to 16 people at a time.

MacRumors explains that just like Snapchat's normal Stories section, messages are deleted after 24 hours. Messages can be replayed just once by each participant and if it's opened after 24 hours, it's gone for good.

Snapchat gave the how-to rundown on their site:

"Groups can be created while sending a Snap, or when you’re making a new Chat. When your friends are present in a Group Chat, we show their name at the bottom of the Chat. Simply tap their name to start a 1:1 Chat, and then easily return to the Group in one swipe! We call this Quick Chat, and it’s the fastest way to keep the conversation going with one friend without spamming the entire Group."

All of the group members are listed at the bottom of each group chat, and are emphasized with color when said group member is currently in the group. To have a quick one-on one discussion with a group member, simply click on a person's name to start a "Quick Chat" then swipe back to return to the larger group.

Via TechCrunch

TechCrunch explains that all the rest of Snapchat's new features such as Bitmoji, vote and video notes, stickers, etc. are are all available in Groups.

It's been an exciting year for Snap Inc. What began as a self-destructing picture sharing app in 2012 has grown into a viable tech company projected to generate more than $935 million this year alone.

The company filed for an initial public offering in November of this year with a projected valuation between $25 billion to $35 billion.

Although at the core Snapchat claims to be simply "a camera company," the company continues to add innovative new features as it grows into a more mature messaging platform. Originally dubbed a "millenial sexting app," Snapchat has come a long way.