Snapchat To Release Facebook-Similar Events Feature

Snapchat is reportedly preparing to release a new feature that supports events just like Facebook does, according to a report by The Verge.

The as of yet unannounced feature was discovered by app researcher Jane Manchun Wong, who has a knack for spotting new social media features before they’re announced.

The specifications are unknown for how it’s going to work, but according to a screenshot posted by Wong, people can create an event, give it a time and place, and by swiping, others can join a group chat for the event.

It’s not known if events can be made public or private, or whether it’ll only be between friends. The feature allows for location selection as well, so it seems like it might be able to work with Snapchat’s Snap Map, which was recently updated to show friends’ locations and activities.

In other Snapchat news, the messaging app’s parent company Snap is rolling out new tools to enable select accounts to operate a store within Snapchat.

Citing a Snap spokesperson, DigiDay reported that Snapchat users will be able to access the Shopify-powered stores by visiting the account page of a brand. The checkout featured within the app is only for U.S. customers.  International users, the report noted, are sent to a mobile website. That is because of international privacy and data rules, the Snap spokesperson said in the report.

Snap will enable users to access shops from Kylie Jenner (Kylie Cosmetics); Kim Kardashian (KKW Beauty); Shay Mitchell (Béis); Spencer Pratt (Pratt Daddy Crystals); Bhad Bhabie (BHADgoods), according to the report.

The accounts already have access to a feature that lets users swipe up to buy products. The tools will be available to more accounts in the next few weeks. Khloe Kardashian (Good American) and Rob Kardashian (Arthur George) will soon be added, noted the report. The program will also be expanded to publishers at some point this year. Snap makes money by getting a piece of the transaction.