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Snapchat continues to make investments in its platform, creating new opportunities for digital advertisers, attracting more users and competing with fellow social media giants. With Snapchat’s newest feature, vertical navigation, now in the official testing phase, the social platform is beginning to mirror – and become better equipped to compete with – fan-favorite app, TikTok. What Is Snapchat Vertical Navigation? Snapchat recently shared it is testing a new vertical swiping feature, similar to that of TikTok, for users browsing through public content shown on Snapchat’s Discover page. The update to vertical navigation allows users to easily swipe through content on the Snapchat platform in the same way users swipe through the TikTok platform, with a vertical swiping motion, rather than horizontal. “TikTok’s navigation style is vertical, and some users consider it a more natural and engaging way to view videos on a smartphone,” noted eMarketer reporter, Jasmine Enberg. The new feature is currently being tested only on public content, as opposed to private stories shared by a user’s Snapchat friend.  Snapchat has shared limited details on the new vertical navigation feature, noting the updated layout is still very much in the early testing stages and only available to select users. The social platform did, however, note the latest feature is part of Snapchat’s continued investment in expanding its content offerings to users, with a Snapchat spokesperson stating, “We’re always experimenting with new ways to bring immersive and engaging content to our mobile-first Snapchat community.” Can Snapchat’s Latest Updates Help The Social Platform Compete With TikTok? As rumors continue to swirl about the future of TikTok, competing social platforms are looking to take advantage of the potential opportunity to fill a major void among social media users should TikTok be removed. Instagram, for example, recently introduced Instagram Reels, a new video…

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A 27-year-old man from Fontana was arrested after he allegedly posed as a 16-year-old to communicate online with female juveniles, according to the Fontana Police Department.On Oct. 28, detectives from the Fontana P.D.'s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force were contacted by investigators from Grapevine, Texas regarding a 12-year-old female victim who had been contacted on Snapchat. The victim was sent an unsolicited, vulgar sexual photograph.The investigation revealed the Snapchat user was Edgar Carrizalez, who had an address in the 9300 block of Kempster Avenue. ICAC detectives conducted a parole search at Carrizalez’ residence.Detectives said Carrizalez was using the following social media platforms: Snapchat; Frog - What’s Up Friend; Kik; Discord; Spotafriend - Meet Teens App; and Tiktok.Carrizalez would often use the screen names Kekid45 and Kyleyou1 to communicate with the girls, police said.Additionally, ICAC detectives discovered Carrizalez was allegedly in possession of child pornography on his electronic devices.Detectives believe there may be additional victims in this investigation. Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the ICAC Task Force at: HKOUROUBACALIS@FONTANA.ORG

Chicago Tribune | Nov 03, 2020 at 10:21 AM When a 17-year-old thrust a gun in Roberto Avila-Juarez’s face in an attempt to rob him, Avila-Juarez, 20, made a quick calculation that helped him narrowly escape into his Hoffman Estates home on Oct. 26, according to prosecutors. But the following morning, in a window of about 30 minutes during which Avila-Juarez was alone in the home, the 17-year-old, Christian Armstrong, returned, entering through the unlocked front door and shot Avila-Juarez in the head at close range, killing him, according to Cook County prosecutors. Armstrong, of the 900 block of Grand Canyon Parkway in the northwest suburb, turned himself in to Hoffman Estates police Friday and was charged as an adult with attempted armed robbery and first-degree murder in connection with Avila-Juarez’s death, according to court records. He appeared in Rolling Meadows branch court before Cook County Judge Jill Cerone-Marisie, who ordered him held Monday in lieu of $100,000 bail with electronic monitoring should he post the $10,000 bond necessary to be released, according to court records and state’s attorney’s office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton. The day before his death, Avila-Juarez had met up with two people, one of them Armstrong, who he previously had sold marijuana to, and Armstrong’s girlfriend, who contacted him on the video messaging app Snapchat to arrange a drug transaction, according to prosecutors. After the girlfriend drove Armstrong and Avila-Juarez somewhere else so Armstrong could buy marijuana, Armstrong, who was in the front seat, turned to Avila-Juarez in the back seat, pulled a gun and demanded his property, prosecutors said. Avila-Juarez said any additional property would be in his home in the 200 block of West Berkley Lane, according to court and police information. A witness told investigators she saw two males get out of a vehicle…

A Fort Lauderdale man has been arrested twice in the past month on charges related to crimes against children after Broward Sheriff's Office officials said he used Snapchat to prey on young girls. Keivon McBride, 22, was arrested Sept. 28 on five counts of lewd and lascivious battery on a child over the age of 12 and under 16, BSO officials said. He was arrested again on Oct. 28 on 12 additional charges of lewd and lascivious battery, possession of child pornography and transmission of child pornography over the internet, officials said. BSO officials said McBride meets girls between the ages of 12 and 14 through Snapchat, then arranges to meet them in person at locations throughout Broward. Broward Sheriff's OfficeKeivon McBride McBride is known to drive a silver Toyota Corolla and is currently out on bail, officials said. Local Investigators are asking anyone who may have come in contact with McBride to contact them at 954-321-4243.

Man uses Snapchat to prey on children in Broward County Posted on 02 November 2020 by JLusk Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) detectives arrested Keivon McBride twice within one month on charges related to crimes against children and are asking for anyone who may have fell victim to McBride to come forward.   BSO Special Victims Unit detectives arrested McBride Monday, Sept. 28, on five counts of lewd and lascivious battery on a child over the age of 12 and under 16. McBride was arrested again by BSO SVU detectives Wednesday, Oct. 28, on 12 additional charges of lewd and lascivious battery, possession of child pornography and transmission of child pornography over the internet.  McBride has been known to meet young girls between the ages of 12 and 14 through the popular social media app known as Snapchat. Once he meets the young girls via Snapchat he arranges to meet them in person at different locations throughout Broward County. McBride is known to drive a silver Toyota Corolla and is currently out on bail. Investigators are asking anyone who may have come in contact with McBride to contact BSO SVU Detective Dimos Charoudis at 954-321-4243 or if you wish to remain anonymous, contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477) or online at browardcrimestoppers.org.

A massive 'lockdown rave' sparked a huge police presence near Warrington after pictures and video were posted on Snapchat. Crowds of people ... Read More

London Fashion Week has been postponed, and Megan Thee Stallion is the new face of Savage x Fenty. Stay up to date with the hottest international fashion news stories of the week. Dior Launches Virtual Snapchat Lens Dior is launching a virtual way to try on the latest sneakers, in a collaboration with Snapchat. The lens showcases the B27 men’s sneakers, where users can point the camera at their feet and check out the six variations. The footwear, designed by Kim Jones, features a sportswear feel, available in low and high top versions. The shoes feature calf leather and nubuck, with the Dior Oblique logo placed on the sides. Those who use the Snapchat filter and wish to purchase can do so within the app or on the Dior e-commerce platform. Maxima Cortina Dies at 25 Maxima Cortina has passed away at the age of 25, and the cause has not yet been determined. The model previously walked for brands such as Clavin Klein, Jason Wu, and Mani, appearing in Vogue and walking in Paris Fashion Week. “I was so happy that she got to be part of my show during the past New York Fashion Week. It was such a special moment that we got to share. I am extremely saddened by the news of her passing,” said Jason Wu. Megan Thee Stallion Face of Savage x Fenty Holiday Collection Savage x Fenty is tapping Megan Thee Stallion as the face of its 2020 holiday collection. The campaign features a plush pink room surrounded by gifts and pearls. The rapper first collaborated with Rihanna’s brand in May, with the SavagexTheeStallion collection. The campaign includes two XTRA VIP boxes with a red lingerie set and a black set. “Meg is the energy we were looking for,” said Rihanna. “She is…

And so would nearly every company out there this year.Oct. 31, 2020, 5:00 a.m. ETA few nights ago, Shana Gadarian, a political scientist at Syracuse University, was ordering a takeout dinner when the DoorDash app suggested she use the time waiting for her order to “make a voting plan.”“Thanks, DoorDash,” she said.As the extended 2020 voting season closes in on Election Day, such messages are inescapable. With banner ads and special photo filters, social media apps like Instagram and Snapchat implore you to vote. Retail clothing companies send emails encouraging civic participation, and they sell merchandise emblazoned with messages to vote.Large companies like Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines are incorporating get-out-the-vote messages in their advertising and product design. Even small businesses — the dry cleaners, delis and yarn stores of American cities — are using signs to urge customers to vote.The ubiquity of the message, along with the wide range of corporate actors embracing it, is new this year, said several researchers and advocates who closely monitor get-out-the-vote strategies. Voting has become cool this year, and nearly every company wants to share in the feel-good glow of a pro-voting message.The reasons seem to be part pandemic, part the high drama of a highly polarized election, and part pressure from employees and customers.Susan Tynan, chief executive and founder of Framebridge, which makes custom frames for art and mementos, said she was inspired to expand her company’s civic engagement after talking with other C.E.O.s about surviving the early months of the pandemic. Keep up with Election 2020 “There’s just been a shift when C.E.O.s have come together, to say there’s a need for clear communication and planning, and honestly moral leadership,” she said. “So I think we’re all doing our best to try and step in where we can.”Framebridge has emailed its…