snapchat – Tech News

Instagram tests a new ‘Instants’ app for sharing disappearing photos

Instagram is testing a new image-sharing app called “Instants,” the company confirmed to TechCrunch on Thursday. The app, which is available in Spain and Italy, lets users share disappearing photos with their friends that can be viewed only once and remain available for 24 hours. However, Instagram may be a bit late to capitalize on the trend of low-pressure, unfiltered photo sharing, as BeReal is not as popular as it once was. At the same time, many people already use Instagram Stories, the app’s Snapchat clone, for quick sharing and may not see the need for a separate app to do so. Given these factors, it’ll be interesting to see how Instants plays out.
https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/23/instagram-tests-a-new-instants-app-for-sharing-disappearing-photos/

Snap is turning its smart glasses team into its own company

“Specs are launching at an important time, as artificial intelligence transforms the way that we use our computers,” Snap says. “Instead of an operating system that expects us to do all of the work, Specs feature a first-of-its-kind Intelligence System that uses its understanding of you and your world to help get things done on your behalf while protecting and respecting your privacy.”
https://www.theverge.com/news/869210/snap-specs-smart-ar-glasses-new-subsidiary

Snapchat adds new tools for building Bitmoji games

Snap is launching new Lens Studio tools that AR creators and developers can use to build Bitmoji games, the company told TechCrunch exclusively. The company is also releasing a Bitmoji Suite as well as new assets for games.
https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/03/snapchat-adds-new-tools-for-building-bitmoji-games/

Snapchat is jumping on the AI selfie train with ‘Dreams’

Snapchat is now jumping on the AI selfie bandwagon with a new feature called Dreams. The first pack of Dreams is free to make and each additional one costs $1 as an in-app purchase. Snapchat users in Australia and New Zealand are getting access to Dreams starting today, followed by access opening up to the rest of the world over the coming weeks.
https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/29/23849611/snapchat-releases-ai-selfie-feature-dreams

Snapchat introduces AI chatbot to mixed reviews

The feature, dubbed My AI, is pinned to the top of users' chat feeds and only paid subscribers can remove it. Snap called My AI "an experimental, friendly, chatbot" which can perform tasks such as answering questions, offering advice, or planning trips. A Snap spokesperson told the BBC the "vast majority" of people with early access to My AI had been enjoying it, with millions of messages sent per day.
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-65388258