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After complaints that Snap is too complex, the company will launch a simplified version of the app that’s easier to navigate. It’s also releasing Snap AI Video, a text-to-video generation tool for creators.
Snap AI Video will allow some creators to generate AI videos from text prompts. Soon, they’ll be able to use image prompts, too. The tool is arriving on the web in beta from today, but only for a “small subset” of creators.
There are currently no plans to make Snap AI Video available to anyone other than creators.
All content created using the new tool will feature a watermark that remains visible when content is downloaded and shared.
A spokesperson for Snap said that the models have undergone safety evaluations and testing to ensure they don’t create harmful content.
This is a huge move for Snap, taking on competitors such as OpenAI and Adobe. Both companies have plans to release text-to-video AI generators to the general public in 2024. Snap is ahead of the curve, since neither Instagram or TikTok have yet launched similar generators, and Meta’s 2022 Make-A-Video tool isn’t available to the public.
How Snap AI Video will perform compared to the competition is anyone’s guess, as we haven’t seen any example output yet.
Simple Snapchat is More Accessible for Older Audience
Snap also announced Simple Snapchat, a simplified version of the Snapchat app designed to focus on chatting with friends, taking photos, and short-form videos (like TikTok).
We’re testing a simplified version of @Snapchat centered around communicating with friends, taking pictures, and entertainment. 📷Here’s what to expect: https://t.co/BuKjTR41Gl pic.twitter.com/pTlXn6KOeC
— Snap Inc. (@Snap) September 17, 2024
It removes the Snap Map and Stories tabs for a less cluttered home screen that should be easier for older users to navigate.
Snap Map and Stories are still accessible, they’re just no longer front and center. Stories will be at the top of the Chat tab with Snap Map at the bottom.
The new navigation bar features a chat icon on the left, camera in the middle, and Spotlight on the right.
Users will notice the Discover section, launched in 2015, is missing from the simplified version of the app. That means there are no short-form videos from brands, though Spotlight will include some branded partner content.
Simple Snapchat will be rolled out to a small group of Snapchat users in a few countries.
Historically, Snapchat users haven’t always responded well to major changes to the app. By putting Stories back in the Private Messages section, which caused a furore last time, the company is taking a risk. However, this time around Stories has its own dedicated bar, which should help keep everyone happy.
Snap also announced the fifth generation of its Spectacles AR glasses, but they’re only available to developers – and they must commit to paying $99 a month for one year if they want to develop AR apps for the specs.
