Snapchat users can now get more out of the mobile application, as it launched several new features last week.

The additions include a facial recognition feature that allows users to meme themselves, an updated replay option in which users can replay three “snaps” a day for 99 cents and a trophy feature in which users can gain virtual awards from reaching different Snapchat achievements.

“I think it’s a new way for them to have some fun. I think these kinds of tools can be used to let some steam out sometimes and have a good laugh,” said Jennifer Grygiel, a social media professional and an assistant professor in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Although Snapchat launched the facial recognition feature last week, the software is not new to social media. Facebook has been using facial recognition for years, said Adam Peruta, a software developer and assistant professor of magazine journalism in Newhouse.

“When you upload a photo (Facebook is) able to detect how many faces are on that photo and then it prompts you, ‘hey, this looks like your friend so-and-so; do you want to tag them?’” Peruta said.

The software came from Looksery, a facial recognition startup that Snapchat bought for about $150 million, according to BuisnessInsider.com.

The facial recognition feature is used to animate selfies from Snapchat users. The animated selfie lens changes frequently by adding new recognition filters and removing previous ones. Peruta said this is an attempt on Snapchat’s part to keep the feature fresh and keep people using it over time, but that the software has had some struggles to pick up users’ faces.

“It is definitely a lot of fun to warp your face in different ways and send it to all your friends, especially when it doesn’t recognize your face and it thinks your nose is your eyeballs and you end up vomiting rainbows out of your chin,” said William Massie, a freshman dual major in the College of Arts and Sciences and Newhouse. “I just think that’s hilarious.”

The pay-for-three-replays feature does not seem to be as popular as the facial recognition feature among Snapchat users. Prior to the update, users were only able to replay one snap a day for free.

“I think that’s absurd,” said Makaela Simmons, a sophomore in the School of Education. “If I don’t catch it the first time, I’m going to ask the person to send it again because I’m not paying 99 cents.”

Due to the cost, Victoria Contreraz, a junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, said she will also refrain from using the feature.

“I would not use that ever,” she said.

Snapchat, which launched in 2011, currently has 100 million users and is worth $16 billion, according to theverge.com. The application has become popular with students through the Syracuse University campus story feature.

Despite the popularity of the app, not everyone is a supporter.

“I feel like Snapchat is creepy,” Simmons said. “I’m not a fan, but I do have it.”

Published on September 23, 2015 at 10:22 pm

Contact Olivia: otjohnso@syr.edu