Facebook-owned video-and-photo sharing service Instagram on Monday released a new update with new features to enhance user-experience.
"In August, we introduced Instagram Stories as a way to share all the moments of your day, not just the ones you want to keep on your profile. We've seen stories open up a new side of what people share on Instagram, and now over 100 million people use it every day," Snapchat administrator said on the official blog.
"With today's announcement, you'll soon have two more ways to share freely and in the moment," it added.
Also read: WhatsApp video calling feature sheds beta tag, now available to public [Here's how to video chat]
The new Snapchat update brings two major features - live video streaming service borrowed from Facebook and the other being the self-deleting video and photo option, similar to the one we find in the rival, Snapchat.
How to activate live video streaming on Instagram app?
- Tap the camera icon in the top left of the screen or swipe right from anywhere in Feed.
- Tap Live at the bottom of the screen, then tap Start Live Video. Your followers may be notified when you start a live video.
- The number of viewers appears in the top right of the screen, and comments appear at the bottom. Tap Comment to add a comment, and tap and hold a comment to pin it to the top so that viewers can see it more easily.
- To turn comments off, tap then select Turn Off Commenting. Keep in mind that any keyword filters you've turned on will also apply to comments on your live video.
- When you're done, tap End in the top right then tap to confirm.
How to send self-deleting photo or video to sender on Instagram?
The new self-deleting feature is kind of tricky as it is similar to the current Instagram Direct message option.
For instance, to send a regular Instagram Direct message with media, the users first need to start the conversation by tapping "New Message" and choose the recipients, and then attach the picture or a video.
For self destructing messaging, the users need to follow the same set of aforementioned steps, but in the opposite direction. Here, users have to take the photo or a clip, then choose the recipients, and hit send. Interesting to note is that the recipient will have the option to replay once and also the sender will be able to know that whether the recipient has seen it, replayed it or took screenshot.
To send a disappearing photo or video-
- Tap in the top left of the screen or swipe right from anywhere in Feed.
- Tap the circle at the bottom of the screen to take a photo or video, then choose to add effects.
- Tap in the bottom right, then select people or groups you'd like to send to:
- When you select multiple people, they'll each get separate, individual messages.
- When you select a group, it starts a single group conversation that anyone in the group can reply to. To create a new group, tap New Group in the top right, select people then tap Create.
- Tap Send at the bottom of the screen.
Instagram's new update is rolling out in phases so it will take a few days to reach all corners of the world.
Readers can also check for Instagram update manually. Just head to Google Play Store and type Instagram, and there press 'UPDATE' and enjoy the new features.
