News
Snapchat Is Now Available For Everyone Via Web Browser
As well as making it easier to access the service on any platform, the company also launched a set of new iOS 16 lock screen widgets to make accessing chats faster.
Snapchat launched a browser version of their service back in July, featuring messaging and video chat functionality — but only in select regions and for subscribers to Snapchat+. The popular messaging app will now be available in a browser-based format for all users globally.
The interface isn’t exactly cutting edge in terms of design or features. However, it still looks like a useful option for people who like to type long messages, or those looking for a more efficient way to upload content using a desktop or laptop.
The web-based version of Snapchat will also allow users to make longer-length audio and video calls after the company revealed that this had been a popular feature of late. As demand for the browser version of the app grows, Snapchat engineers will add more core features to the desktop app, bringing most of the functionality that users already enjoy on Android and iOS.
Speaking of the popular Apple operating system, Snapchat has also announced a set of new lock screen widgets for its service now that iOS 16 has arrived on the scene. The widgets allow iPhone fans to create shortcuts to conversions, helping users quickly jump back into frequent chats in a single tap.
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The Snapchat app itself will also feature new shortcuts at the top of its chat page. The new additions will make it easy for people to jump to their unread Snaps, frequent chats, and replies to stories. The shortcuts will also show reminders for friends’ birthdays and conversations that users haven’t replied to yet. Last, but not least, Snapchat has also added Question Stickers that can be posted to stories and Snaps. There’s no definite release date on any features yet, but some users have already started to benefit from a gradual roll-out of the upgrades.
News
Saudi Digital Payments Reach 80% As Cash Use Shrinks
Visa data shows cards and mobile wallets dominate spending, with smartphones now driving a growing share of daily transactions.
Digital payments now account for 80% of all transactions in Saudi Arabia, according to Visa’s latest Where Cash Hides report, another marker of how quickly the Kingdom is moving away from cash.
The share is up four percentage points from a year ago. Around 67% of consumers are now largely non-cash users, paying mainly with cards or mobile wallets. Smartphones are taking a bigger role, with mobile payments making up 16% of transactions.

Cash is retreating in routine spending. Eating out dropped 9%. Bill payments fell 8%, as shoppers opt for faster checkouts and app-based payments.
“The data shows a steady move toward digital payments in Saudi Arabia. Such progress is possible only because banks, fintechs, merchants, and technology partners are moving together in the same direction, in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” said Ali Bailoun, Visa’s Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman.
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Despite the recent findings, it’s important to note that cash hasn’t yet disappeared. It still shows up for tips (39%), peer-to-peer transfers (28%) and rent (14%).
Visa points to security features such as tokenization, along with rewards and cashback, as factors nudging more spending onto cards and phones — a shift that tracks with Saudi Arabia’s wider Vision 2030 push to digitize commerce.
