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Snapchat: 'We Completely Understand' the Redesign Hate

Snap is planning to add tabs in Friends and Discover that it says will 'make it easier to find the Stories that you want, when you want them.'

 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

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Heads up, Snapchat users: developer Snap knows you hate the app's recent redesign and is planning some changes that might make you loathe it a little less.

On Tuesday, Snap responded to a Change.org petition with more than 1.2 million signatures asking the company to scrap the redesign and change Snapchat back to the way it was before.

"We hear you, and appreciate that you took the time to let us know how you feel," the company wrote in response to petition creator Nic Rumsey and "all of the Snapchatters" who feel similarly. "We completely understand the new Snapchat has felt uncomfortable for many."

The company went on to say that "the new Friends page will adapt to you and get smarter over time, reflecting who you're most likely to be snapping with at that moment." The same is true for the new Discover page, which will also "adapt to you the more that you use it."

Snap is also planning to add tabs in Friends and Discover that it says will "make it easier to find the Stories that you want, when you want them." That update is slated to reach iOS devices some point "soon," followed by Android "in the coming weeks."

"Once you receive the update, you'll be able to sort things like Stories, Group Chats, and Subscriptions, allowing you to further customize your own experience on the app," the company wrote. "This new foundation is just the beginning, and we will always listen closely to find new ways to make the service better for everyone."

Following the redesign's US debut, more than 30 Change.org petitions were launched in a single day protesting it. Users are complaining that the Snapchat is "too over complicated" now, that it's harder to find their friends in the app, and that some contacts aren't even showing up. Ironically, Snap says the redesign was intended to make the app simpler to understand and use.

[Image: ALX Snap Lenses]

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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