Snapchat is a photo- and video-messaging app. A group of 20-something Stanford University students developed and launched the app in 2011 according to Pocket-lint, an online news site.
The app is unique in that you can only see snaps (pictures or videos sent over snapchat) for one to 10 seconds. The only way to save a snap is to screenshot it.
There are also ‘stories’ that you can add to your profile that any of your friends can view for 24 hours. If there are more than one, it compiles them in to one mass story.
Before you get there though, you have to download the app. It’s free to download and fairly easy to find in the app store. Once it’s downloaded, create a username and password.
Once that’s done, the app will open to the camera. When you press on the ghost at the top, a menu will drop down where you can search for friends, see who added you, and look at your contacts.
When you press the arrow at the bottom, the menu recedes. From there you swipe right and it will take you to your contacts where you can view their stories. If you swipe left, it will take you to your snap conversations.
To take a snap, tap the center camera button, or, to take a video, just hold the same button down.
Once you have the picture, you can change filters, draw, change the time the person can see it, save the picture, or add it to your story.
To change filters, simply swipe right or left after your picture has been captured. If you want to draw on your picture, tap on the pencil in the upper right hand corner, then pick a color, and use your finger to draw.
Tap the clock with the number on it to change the amount of time the other person can view your snap. If you want to save the picture, just tap the download button, or, to add your snap to your story, tap the square with the plus symbol.
If you want to add text, you can tap anywhere on the picture or press the “T” symbol in the top right corner next to the pencil.
Once you’re ready to send your masterpiece, tap the arrow in the bottom right corner and select the person or people you want to send it to. From here, you can also add it to your story.
When receiving a snap, just press and hold to view, but remember you can only see it for a couple of second unless you screenshot it. Also, once a day you can replay a single snap, so use it wisely.