Snapchat Introduces Data-Saving Option: Travel Mode

Snapchat, the photo sharing social networking platform, introduces Travel Mode, especially for teenagers worldwide, who’d like to save their data plans. Instead of loading automatically, when the app’s opened, Snaps, Stories and Discovery items will load exclusively if the consumers tap them. First you have to enable them.

Statistics show that Snapchat reached 100 million users a day, while 60 percent are American adolescents. The changes are inclined to further increase the number of users.

The Travel Mode feature comes for Android and iOS, along other enhancements. Emojis can now be added individually to snaps, instead of having to add them as a single thin line of text. The eye button for toggling between your story and who watched it comes back shortly.

The profile GIF can now be downloaded as a video, than particularly a photo of the first frame. The profile GIF has a longer “lifespan” and works as a “profile” on the app. It’s useful when you try to follow someone.

The Travel Mode could become a hit with people on minor data plans at home; it could also be useful to deflect expensive roaming charges while in other countries. Perhaps that’s why they chose a suggestive name for this feature.

So, Travel Mode means that instead of auto-loading when users go to the “Stories” option, they have to tap each one when their Android or iOS device isn’t connected to WiFi.

Now, in order for Travel Mode to be activated, Snapchat enthusiasts have to tap the snapchat icon at the top of the camera, then go into Settings, open Manage Additional Services and then turning it on.

Concerning the new emojis option, after you shot a snap, you will have to tap the post-it note button, found in the top right of the screen.

Moreover, Snapchat’s Travel Mode enhancement reflects Facebook’s and other social platforms’ attempt to supply a more affordable feature of accessing their services. Especially teenagers worldwide, but also other smartphone users of all ages, have to manage their data consumption carefully. Under different circumstances, they might have to face the inconvenience of turning off their Internet connection or pay extra charges they couldn’t afford.

Tech companies are enhancing their apps to be more concentrated and condensed so they are less expensive and smaller to download. The aim is also to improve efficiency for less data usage and more condensed transmissions. Facebook made an intervention as well by releasing Facebook Lite, a data-saving variant of its Android app.

Once more, Snapchat consumers are able to use data exclusively on what they want to see, even though the snaps have to pre-load in the first place. The waiting time is a minor inconvenience in comparison to users being charged money.

Basically, stories can be accessed now with a single touch, being an easier way to load the mechanism. In conclusion, Travel Mode is a major update for Snapchat, a cute and useful social media app.

Photo Credits a1.mzstatic.com