Snapchat tests a paid subscription service

Snapchat wants you to pay for a subscription service, and it's unsurprisingly being called Snapchat Plus. Snap spokesperson Liz Markman said the feature is in its "early internal testing" phase. They envision it as a way "to share exclusive, experimental, and pre-release features with our subscribers, and learn more about how we can best serve our community."

App researcher Alessandro Paluzzi has shared information about this service on Twitter. There are features like pinning a friend as "#1 BFF," access to exclusive Snapchat icons, profile badge, info on how many friends rewatched your story, learn your friend's whereabouts in the last 24 hours (if they share your location with you), and more. Pricing is currently listed as 4.59 Euros, which is approximately CA$6. Of course, that's a placeholder price for now.

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Snapchat gets YouTube sticker that links directly to videos

Source: Snapchat

Snapchat will make it easier for you to share your favourite YouTube videos in the app. There will be a custom sticker with a video thumbnail every time you want to share a YouTube video. These stickers will link to the video on the YouTube app or default mobile browser. You can share right through the Snapchat Camera without needing to copy and paste. The update marks the first time YouTube links can be shared visually to Snapchat Stories and one-on-one Snaps while having access to the Camera and Snapchat's Creative Tools.

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Snapchat finally rolls out option to change your username

Source: Snapchat

Snapchat will let you ditch your old username for a new one starting today. So, if you've been dying to rebrand on the social app, you can do that now. But there are a few conditions. You can only change your username once a year, and you won't get the old one back. Old usernames won't be available to anyone, which iMore pointed out is a shame for names taken by username squatters.

Snapchat gets real-time location sharing on its map

Source: Snapchat

Snapchat is building on its safety features by adding a new live location-sharing feature in its app. It will allow you to share your exact whereabouts to select friends for a predetermined time. While Snap Map's location sharing has been available for years, this new version only updates your location when the Snapchat app is open.

You and your loved ones have to mutually opt into the feature to use it. Like Apple's "Find My" function, you can set the sharing option to be available for 15 minutes, one hour, or eight hours. You can use it to make it easier to meet up or as an extra precaution when you need the reassurance that your loved ones know where you are.

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