Snapchat

New Snapchat tweak sidesteps crackdown on jailbreakers [updated]

Jeff Benjamin ∙ July 22, 2015

A new jailbreak tweak for Snapchat just launched, and it works on the latest version of Snapchat—version 9.12.0.0—without causing a lockout.

As you'll recall, Snapchat started cracking down on Snapchat-oriented jailbreak tweaks after an update to one of the more popular tweaks (Phantom) allowed users to spoof locations and snag coveted filters from places across the world.

Though an update to Phantom is said to be on the way, a new update to another Snapchat-centric tweak—Snapchat+— is the first release that actually lets users bypass the Snapchat ban hammer.

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Snapchat puts more pressure on jailbreakers by forcing upgrades

Jeff Benjamin ∙ July 21, 2015

It looks like Snapchat isn't resting on its laurels when it comes to protecting its product. After it surfaced that Snapchat was beginning to lock out any one who used Snapchat-centric jailbreak tweaks, users wised up and started downgrading to an earlier version of Snapchat without such protections in place.

Today, it appears that the Venice, CA company has caught on to the downgrading trend, and is now forcing users to upgrade to the latest version of Snapchat in order to use its product.

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Snapchat is locking out users who use Snapchat-oriented jailbreak tweaks

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

If you're a fan of Snapchat and you like to use Snapchat-oriented jailbreak tweaks like Phantom, then take note. It appears that Snapchat is beginning to crack down on users who use jailbreak tweaks with its app.

Phantom—one of the most popular jailbreak tweaks for Snapchat—allows you to do things like spoof locations, save media, set custom notifications sounds, and much more. But apparently, Snapchat isn't too keen on jailbreak users having such perks, and have begun locking out users of these tweaks.

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Jailbreak tip: spoof your location in Snapchat to use any geofilter

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 7, 2018

Phantom for Snapchat is a popular jailbreak tweak that allows you to supercharge Snapchat with all sorts of bolt on features. It also has the ability to spoof your location.

Snapchat uses your location to present you with custom geofilters, which are basically stickers that you can place on your Snaps that reflect your current location. So, for example, you couldn't normally add a Paris filter to your Snaps unless you were actually in Paris.

With Phantom's location spoofing option, it's possible to snag filters for any location that you desire around the world. It's super-easy to use as well. We'll show you how to spoof your location in Snapchat to add custom filters in our video tutorial.

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Snapchat rolls out one-tap viewing of Snaps and Stories, Add Nearby feature and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Snapchat no longer requires you to tap and hold to view a Snap or Story, the company announced in a blog post Wednesday. According to developers, a new version of Snapchat, which is rolling out now on the App Store, lets you view Snaps and Stories with a single tap.

The new tap-and-view experience means your thumb will be no longer tiring while sorting through a bunch of Snaps or watching a several-hundred-second Story.

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Unsurprisingly, iPhone Messages bug crashes iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, WhatsApp, Twitter and Snapchat

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 29, 2015

An odd software bug which causes the iPhone's Messages application to crash and sends the handset into a respring after a certain text is received affects the iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, too. In addition, the text bug apparently affects third-party social and messaging apps that deal with text, including WhatsApp, Twitter and Snapchat, The Guardian newspaper learned today.

That's hardly surprising. The issue can be traced back to a specific series of Unicode characters, suggesting a bug in the text engine framework called CoreText that exists in iOS and OS X.

That would explain why third-party apps that deal with messages, like Twitter and Snapchat, were affected as they tap into Apple's CoreText engine to manage strings of text and layouts.

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Former iOS chief Scott Forstall is an advisor for Snapchat

Cody Lee ∙ April 16, 2015

Those wondering what former iOS chief Scott Forstall has been up to since leaving Apple in 2013 may be interested to know that he has been helping out Snapchat. According to leaked emails from Snapchat board member Michael Lynton, Forstall has been a paid advisor for the messaging startup since January 2014.

In fact, he's very well paid. Lynton's email indicates that Snapchat set aside .11% of fully-diluted stock for the ex-Apple exec, with options vesting over 24 months. And given that the company was recently valued at $15 billion, that would make Forstall's stake worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $16.5 million.

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Snapchat rolls out Discover feature that highlights curated stories and videos

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Tuesday, Snapchat announced a new feature called Discover which highlights curated stories from Snapchat's different editorial teams.

Snapchat is moving to become a media platform so they've partnered with some of the major names in media like the ESPN, Vice and CNN to build a storytelling format which puts the narrative first.

“This is not social media” nor is it aboutwhat’s most new and trending, remarked the firm in a blog post. No, sir — Snapchat believes in curation and high-quality content so “We count on editors and artists, not clicks and shares, to determine what’s important.”

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Snapchat opens up Geofilters feature to everyone

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Back this summer, Snapchat introduced Geofilters, a set of custom image filters that only work on photos taken in specific geographic locations. Up until now, only Snapchat devs have been able to create these. Tuesday, the company has opened up Geofilters to the community at large.

Now everyone can create interesting images and share them with friends who will be able to see them when they're in a specific location.

Once shared, your little pieces of art will be also available through the newly set up Community Geofilter website.

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Snapchat app updated with support for new Snapcash service

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Snapchat updated its iOS client today, bringing the app to version 8. The update activates the company's new 'Snapcash' money transfer service, which it announced yesterday, that allows users to quickly send money to one another by simply sending a message.

Snapcash is a collaborative project between Snapchat and Square, built using the SquareCash concept. SquareCash allows users to send money via email, text message and Bluetooth with little friction, so it's not hard to see how they made the jump to Snapchat.

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Snapchat and Square launch Snapcash money transfer service

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 18, 2016

Snapchat, the popular ephemeral photo messaging application, on Monday said it's partnered with Square, Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey's mobile payments startup, on a new service allowing Snapchat users to send and receive money.

Dubbed Snapcash and billed as the first Snapchat product created in partnership with another company, it's simple and easy to use just like Square's SquareCash service.

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