In the spring, Snapchat introduced a new feature named App Stories that enabled users to share content from other apps to their stories—and at the Snap Partner Summit event, Snap introduced Snapchat Minis with a similar premise. Snapchat Minis are lightweight, third-party apps that live within the app's Chat. Like Snap Games, Minis can be quickly called up by tapping to turn them full-screen, and they help to save space on a user's phone by not requiring a separate download.
According to Snap, Minis are designed to "deeply integrate within your conversations, so coordinating with friends is faster than ever." To start, Snap is introducing seven Minis like Headspace Mini with quick meditations, Let’s Do It to help with group decision-making and Saturn Mini to help students compare their schedules.
In-Chat Third-Party Apps
Snapchat Minis Exist Within Chat as Lightweight, Third-Party Apps
Trend Themes
1. In-chat Third-party Apps - Opportunity for app developers to create lightweight, integrated apps within popular chat platforms.
2. Snapchat Minis - Disruptive innovation opportunity for third-party apps to reach a large user base by integrating with Snapchat's chat feature.
3. Integrating Apps in Conversations - Emerging trend of seamlessly integrating apps into messaging platforms to enhance user experience and facilitate faster coordination.
Industry Implications
1. Mobile App Development - Disruptive innovation opportunity for mobile app developers to design lightweight apps that can be integrated into popular chat platforms like Snapchat.
2. Messaging Platforms - Opportunity for chat platforms to attract more users and increase engagement by integrating third-party apps directly within their messaging interface.
3. Wellness and Mental Health - Emerging trend where wellness and mental health apps can leverage chat platforms to provide quick meditations and other self-care tools to a wide user base.