Snapchat
has released a new Dual Camera option, which it has imitated from the French
social media app BeReal.
The Dual Camera
functionality allows for recording videos or taking photos that are captured by
the front and back-facing cameras at the same time. It supports several output
formats including vertical, horizontal, picture-in-picture, and cut-out.
While Instagram also developed its own version of the feature, Snapchat’s primary intention behind the launch is to provide users with more creative opportunities and trends. The company originally previewed the option as a part of its Director Mode, which contains more advanced editing tools for creative purposes.
Due to
global economic impacts and limitations as a result of Apple’s new opt-in data
privacy update, Snapchat is now considering marketing its Director Mode
features on a broader scale, therefore the Dual Camera also seems to be part of
that effort. The option will be displayed front and centre in the function bar
in the app, instead of appearing as a Lens, so as to gain more attention from
users.
The functionality
could be an interesting engagement tool for younger audiences, creators, as
well as brands. It is initially available to iOS users with iPhone XS/XR or
above and will be rolled out to Android users in the coming months.
