At long last, Snapchat is updating the tool that continues to confuse or put off users of its service. We’re talking about its search mechanism, which — for most — remains scattered in various sections of the app.
Users that struggle with the discovery process on Snapchat should welcome the launch of a universal search bar. We’ve all read about all the weird and wonderful snaps and stories being uploaded to Snapchat by its 150 million users — not to mention its devoted celeb fanbase — but some users simply can’t seem to find it. That is why the web is littered with articles on Snapchat celebrity usernames and “how-to” guides on adding new users.
Starting on Thursday, Snapchat will put an end to its search debacle by launching a universal search bar that puts all of its awesome content at your fingertips, reports TechCrunch. Well, kind of, anyway. The move will see Snapchat ditch its variety of search bars for one all-encompassing search tool.
At launch, the search bar is rolling out to select users on Android, with plans to make it available to all iOS and Android users soon. To access the tool, all you have to do is tap the new Bitmoji icon on the top left of the display. This will automatically take you to your own profile screen where you can jump into quick chats with friends and groups. Each of your contacts will be assigned their own card — tapping and holding someone’s profile card will let you view their mini profile. Story thumbnails will also be accessible, allowing you to watch a friend’s recent Story. The search bar itself will allow you to find accounts, daily editions of Discover media channels, and specific Our Stories (essentially a group Story made up of snaps from multiple users at the same event).
Although the app still lacks an Explore or curated trends section like its counterparts Twitter and Instagram, the universal search bar will at least make the act of discovery a bit easier. However, that does mean you will still have to do a bit of research in order to find random users you wish to follow. For now, Snapchat is intent on making you work for the good stuff.
Additionally, the app is expanding its Our Story feature to allow users to submit snaps from any place at any time. Snapchat will then curate the content based on submission trends.
The updates are arriving in the wake of its rival Instagram’s move to monetize its own Stories feature with ads. It’s easy to see Snapchat’s new search bar appealing to brands and businesses that want to make it easier for users to connect with them on the app. There will certainly be a lot of pressure on Snapchat’s parent company Snap to offer more discovery and curation tools — two factors that many view as a crippling setback to its adoption rate among users outside of its main, young millennial demographic — as its expected IPO approaches.
Are you tired of paying for streaming services you never watch just to get a phone plan feature you actually want? T-Mobile has good news for you! The carrier is rolling out new plans, called T-Mix, in early November to replace its old Experience lineup with a build-your-own perks system called Picks.
The benefits you choose vary from streaming and gaming to food delivery, AI, satellite service, and phone discounts. But if you are satisfied with your existing plan, you can keep it.
Merely days after the iPhone Duo hit the shelves, images of broken screens on the phone started popping up across social media. Until now, it’s been unclear what’s causing the line of defective pixels that appears vertically along the crease, as well as horizontally, on the phone’s inner display.
Apple has finally acknowledged the issue, which has shown up on iPhone Duo units owned by customers as well as demo units in stores. In a statement shared with Bloomberg, Apple says that not all iPhone Duo units are affected and that those that are tend to show the display fault early on. The company added that users who experience problems with their iPhone Duo display should contact AppleCare for a replacement.
Not long ago, Apple treated independent repair like an act of outright hostility. The Cupertino giant locked down parts with serial-number pairing, while repair tools remained firmly out of reach of anyone outside its authorized repair network. More importantly, the company waged a legal and lobbying battle against right-to-repair legislation.
I've covered enough of these fights over the years to know what a shift looks like. That's why what happened in October 2026 genuinely caught me off guard. The day the iPhone Duo went on sale, what may be the most mechanically complex iPhone to date, Apple pulled off a surprising about-face. It published teardown-style repair manuals for a handful of major components.