Snapchat’s latest update brings some new and more easily understandable iconography to the app alongside changes to the Stories and Discover view. The update today puts a heavy focus on the Discover view within Snapchat, making ignoring it nigh near impossible. The Discover feed is now directly below a user’s personal stories and above their friend’s stories in a small card carousel view.

The Discover cards’ interaction within Snapchat look to be taking design and interaction cues from Facebook Paper. Below the recently updated stories, Snapchat now shows a more prominent Live section showcasing events that are currently or had recently occurred within the platform. It’s a small and welcome change to help bring visibility to help compete with live streaming platform Periscope.

One of the biggest complaints I hear when users are getting started with Snapchat is not understanding how to switch between views or what each view is. Snapchat’s update today changes the icons now clearly indicating that the left most view is for chatting, and the right side view is for Stories. While the latter’s icon is a bit vague, utilizing three circular balls stacked into a pyramid, it should at least help clarify and draw attention to it better.

Though the redesign today brought Discover more prominently into the main Story view, there is still a standalone Discover view within the application. The updated view has moved away from small circles with just the company’s logo and now showcases each in magazine-like tiling. Each Discover story also now includes the option to subscribe to that brand’s Discover stories so users will never miss out.

Snapchat 9.32 Camera view Snapchat 9.32 Stories view Snapchat 9.32 new Live view Snapchat 9.32 updated Discover view Snapchat 9.32 Discover subscription area

The Live stories view isn’t technically new, but by moving it below Recent Updates, more focus is put on user Stories and Discover at the top. The Live stories change also gives users a glimpse into what they’ll see even before they open the story itself.

The latest Snapchat update seems to be pulling inspiration from multiple different apps and competing companies to build a best of all words. Discover story tiles similar to Facebook Paper, a Flipboard like experience for keeping up to date with brands, and a Live stories view to help compete with companies like Periscope. Whether or not these new features will resonate well with users will be something we’ll be keeping an eye out for.

What’s New in Version 9.32.0.0 Stories and Discover have a new look. See what’s inside before you tap!

When you finish an edition in Discover, swipe up to Subscribe so you never miss an update! Subscriptions appear below your friends’ Stories.

Tap the navigation buttons at the bottom to jump between screens.

Snapchat 9.32.0.0 can be downloaded from the iOS App Store for free and is compatible with iPhones and iPads.

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