Emoji Hashtags coming in Instagram for Android update #:)

Hashtags are as synonymous with social networks as terrible smartphone photos and useless never-ending monologues from your most annoying friends. Emojis fit into that same category.

And for Instagram, those two can now become one in the same. Instagram has introduced a new featured called “emoji hashtags” that allows you to use Emojis in your hashtags. One example might be “#:)”, where the smiley face is actually a standard smiley face emoji (or any other emoji for that matter). The picture will be recognized as a hashtag that you can click to explore similarly-tagged posts.

We’re not sure what the practical need for this is, but it’s always nice to have these sorts of quirky options available to you for whatever you might need them for in the future.

Today’s update also brings us three new filters, all of which serve to make outdoorsy shots look, well, more outdoorsy:

• Lark: Desaturates reds while making blue more profound


• Reyes: Brings a dusty and vintage look


• Juno: Tints cool tones with green, makes whites more vibrant and strengthens warm tones

You can see the effect the different filters have on a photo with the samples seen above. It’s nothing huge, but it’s always nice to get a wider variety of options to find that perfect look for your photo. You should be able to find Instagram version 6.2 over at Google Play as soon as today so be sure to upgrade and play around with the new filters and hashtag features.

[via Instagram]

Snapchat update now shows friendship status using emoji, says they will change your life

Snapchat is quietly rolling out an update to their popular messaging application. The app now shows you the status of your friendship using “Friend Emoji,” these are little emoji that appear right along side your most frequently chatted contacts. You wont find any announcement post on their blog, with Snapchat revealing the news via the Discovery section in their app. Here’s the full skinny according to TechCrunch:

• (Gold Heart): You’re #1 Best Friends – The person you send snaps to most sends snaps to you most too


• (Grimace/Grit Teeth): You Have A Mutual #1 Best Friend – The person you send snaps to most is also who this person sends snaps to most


• (Smile): One Of Your Best Friends – This is one of the people you send snaps to most


• (Sunglasses): You Have A Mutual Best Friend – One of the people you send snaps to most is also one of the people this person sends snaps to most


• (Smirk): You’re Their Best Friend But They’re Not Yours – You’re one of the people they send snaps to most, but they’re not one of the people you send snaps to most


• (Fire): You Two Are On A Snapstreak – You and this person have sent snaps back and forth for the number of consecutive days shown

You can see how these little emoji might easily stir up needless drama in someone’s life. Maybe not for us adults, but in the countless teens who might be offended to find out their real-life bestie isn’t, in fact, their Snapchat bestie.

Snapchat is also introducing a new low light button (iOS only) that automatically appears in the camera portion of their app to slow down the shutter and brighten up dark photos. In addition to “Recents,” there’s also a new “Needs Love” section reminding you to send Snaps to contacts you previously messaged frequently, but haven’t messaged in awhile.

Despite its popularity, Snapchat is still one of the most convoluted applications we’ve ever used and this latest update certainly isn’t helping matters any. The app often times leaves the user guessing on what some of the basic functions are, and today’s update doesn’t help matters any.

Then again, this has probably contributed to the app’s “viral” nature and could be the reason why it appeals so much with our youth. You just wouldn’t understand.