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.
Also Read: How To Make Your Twitter Account And Tweets Private
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
NEOPAY Wants To Follow Merchants Across Channels And Borders
A controlling 65% stake in noon payments would give NEOPAY access to marketplace sellers, online merchants and the payment flows they generate.
It’s been a long time since checkouts were single defined places. A merchant might take payments at a physical register, on its own website and through an online marketplace, sometimes in more than one country. NEOPAY wants to follow those transactions wherever they happen.
The UAE payments company has entered into an agreement to acquire a 65% controlling stake in noon payments. NEOPAY already runs the acquiring infrastructure that lets merchants accept card payments, along with omnichannel acceptance and a merchant services platform. This new deal would add noon payments’ embedded payments platform, e-commerce gateway and merchant network across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. That would considerably expand both NEOPAY’s digital commerce capabilities and its regional reach.
For merchants, the attraction is a single provider for online and in-store payments, plus faster settlements, data and analytics, and value-added financial services.
“Payments should be simple, reliable, and built for the markets they serve,” said Faraz Khalid, CEO of noon. His counterpart at NEOPAY, Vibhor Mundhada, added: “We have built a strong payments business in the UAE, and our ambition is now to take that capability across the region”. The acquisition, Mundhada added, would “expand our footprint into Saudi Arabia and Egypt” while reinforcing NEOPAY’s position at home.
Also Read: In Kuwait, Your Surgeon Might Be Operating From Another Country
NEOPAY is also keen to point out potential payment volume increases. The company says noon payments’ integrations with marketplace sellers and online merchants create high transaction density in some of the region’s fastest-growing digital commerce segments. It also believes control of the business would give it access to those merchant relationships and payment flows, and speed up the rollout of alternative payment methods and installment options.
The combined roadmap targets faster merchant onboarding, better payment performance, tighter fraud controls and embedded financial services. The deal could also strengthen cross-border payments and settlement along key regional commerce corridors.
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