Title: Transforming iMessage into Snapchat with tbh's Latest App
App developer Nikita Bier has entered the chat, introducing his latest creation: an app called Vanish, which brings the ephemeral text messaging and photo-sharing experience straight to iMessage. It seems Snapchat might want to take a seat and take note of this competition.
Just like Snapchat, Vanish allows users to send messages and photos with a limited viewing window. After its disappearance, the content vanishes into thin air, forever gone. However, the twist is that you don't have to worry if the recipient isn't using the app; only the sender needs to have Vanish installed to decide how long the text or image is visible.
Though the app is available for free, users can pay $39.99 yearly or $7.99 monthly for Vanish+, unlocking premium features. With this subscription, users can receive screenshot alerts, block screenshots altogether, revisit messages they've previously sent, and even lock photo viewing after they've been sent to keep it accessible.
The resemblance to Snapchat and its premium feature, Snapchat+, is no coincidence. Bier openly talked about his poor relationship with Snapchat, describing the app as a "spite app." In a heated Twitter thread, he referred to Snapchat's act of booting his previous company's app off the platform and shutting down its growth as a motivating force behind the creation of Vanish.
Bier has a rich background in app development. He made a splash with his first viral hit, tbh, an anonymous polling app that grabbed over two million daily users before being acquired by Facebook. His second major venture, Gas, an app for anonymously giving compliments, was sold to Discord after it garnered an impressive seven million downloads. Given Bier's timeline, it's likely this app was the one involved in his Snapchat spat.
So, will Vanish be able to make waves in the shark-infested waters of mobile messaging? While the idea of disappearing messages and photos is certainly a selling point, it's not an entirely new concept. Snapchat has successfully integrated it into their app, along with many other platforms such as Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and Telegram.
However, what sets Vanish apart is its seamless integration with iMessage by resurfacing as an iMessage extension. By doing so, it takes the ephemeral messaging experience to the next level, making it more accessible and attractive to casual users who might not have snatched up Snapchat in the past but are already familiar with iMessage.
But Snapchat still has its charm and a loyal user base, especially among younger demographics, which is essential to its overall market appeal. The gamification of communication and the social cachet of features like Streaks and trophies keep users coming back for more, driving their obsession with friendship metrics and affixing value to social interactions.
Stay tuned to see how this messaging showdown unfolds—Snapchat hasn't taken its crown off just yet. Vanish might just have the potential to pull a few users away, but competing against a market giant isn't alone a walk in the park. With games like TikTok also trying to hop onto the ephemeral messaging train, the competition will only get more intense.
The future of ephemeral messaging could see a shift with Apple users, as the tech giant might consider integrating Vanish's features into their own tech offerings, given its seamless integration with iMessage. Additionally, with Vanish+ offering premium features like screenshot alerts and message revisions, tech giants like Apple might feel pressure to enhance their own messaging services.
