Hike Messenger adopts Snapchat-like Stories, Live Filters and in-app camera

India’s first home-grown messaging app Hike messenger has rolled out set of new features such as Stories, built-in camera and live filters on Thursday at an event in New Delhi. The move is intended to take on the likes of Snapchat and Instagram.

The first major feature launched by the company is called ‘Stories’. It allows users to share their moments with each other through photos and videos. The Timeline feature that was rolled out last year has been removed in favour of Stories. Like, Snapchat and Instagram the Stories are temporary and are automatically deleted after they are posted but, the time period in hike is 48 hours.

The Stories come with a ‘Views’ section where users can see how many of their friends have viewed it. One thing that’s different from Snapchat and Instagram is that after a picture is posted under the Stories section, users can see how many of their friends are viewing it at the moment.

Hike’s second big feature addition is its new in-app camera that also packs in some augmented reality features. The camera has features like Live Filters and stickers and one can doodle on the pictures that are to be posted in the Stories section.

The new Live Filters feature uses machine learning and allows people to customize their faces in photos. There are a total of 12 Live Filters available presently, ranging from Black and White sunglasses to a Turban and Moustache and many more. There is even a filter that can change the user’s face to resemble that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.