Snapchat announced a new feature on their blog this morning. In an effort to move away from a reputation based solely on sexting the company introduces “Stories”. The new feature is available from both the iOS and Android stores today.
The new Stories feature allows users to create a slideshow of their day. Your collection of snaps from the last 24 hours will string together and play for just your friends or for those brave enough, everyone on Snapchat. Each snap you add to your story will be visible for a 24 hour period. Once the 24 hour period ends, in grand Snapchat tradition, that particular snap will disappear from the feed and make room for you to add various other highlights from your day.
Users can access Stories from the friends page within the app. A thumbnail of their most recent snap appears next to their name. Simply holding down on their name and their story will play. Unlike an individual snap sent to a friend their story will be available for viewing again and again.
In an interview with The Verge, Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel revealed there are 350 million snaps are being sent per day. The continued popularity of the app and this new feature could make room for advertising within Stories although Spiegel has yet to comment on any such plans.
