Snapchat introduces group chat features, Shazam integration

You heard that right. Snapchat, an app built on ephemerality, now has Shazam integration. Going forward, users can Shazam a song from Snapchat’s camera screen, making it easy to both discover new music and share that music with friends.

But that’s relatively small-time compared to another update being issued to Snapchat this week. The app is also introducing a new feature known as Groups, which allows users to talk with up to 16 friends in the same thread.

Snap explained how the new feature will work:

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.

Snap says a message sent in a group chat is deleted within 24 hours, while Snaps (re: pictures) sent in a group thread can be opened and replayed once. So, if a Snap is sent and you don’t open it within 24 hours, you’ll miss it forever.

More creative features are coming

In addition to the new Groups feature, Snapchat will also have new creative tools, including scissors and paintbrush. The scissors feature will allow users to easily turn Snaps into stickers, while paintbrush can be applied to Snaps in Memories, Snapchat said.