Instagram announces live video and disappearing photos and videos

Instagram seems to be on steroids this year. There have gone all out to diversify from been referred simply as the photo sharing platform. The presence of Snapchat has forced Instagram to move away from its comfort zone. Yesterday, Monday 21st November, 2016, Instagram went ahead to announce two new features namely:

  • Live video on Instagram Stories
  • Disappearing photos and videos for groups and friends in Instagram Direct

Live Video

Instagram will first release this feature to a small test group with a global roll out planned in the weeks to come. Through the Stories section of the app, users will be able to broadcast live video to their followers. When you start a live video broadcast, Instagram will send notifications to your flowers to inform them that you are live. Your followers can then go ahead and comment on your live video. Alternatively you can pin a comment for everyone to see or turn off comments all together. Note that a live video won’t automatically be posted to the users profile after broadcasting. The live broadcast can last up to an hour.

Disappearing Photos and Videos

This feature is similar to that offered by Snapchat, a rival photo and video sharing application. An Instagram user will now be able to send expiring content within the company’s private messaging tool but there is a catch. Users will only be able send disappearing content to their followers. Immediately the recipient views the photo or video it will disappear from their inbox. Instagram will also enable senders to see whether or not the recipient has taken a screenshot of a video or replayed one. Instagram started rolling out this new functionality globally as from yesterday, Monday.

Back in August this year, Instagram launched a feature referred to as Instagram Stories. You could clearly see that the Facebook owned company drew its inspiration for the feature from Snapchat Stories, a similar feature offered first by Snap Inc. Instagram Stories is a way to share all the moments of your day, not just the ones you want to keep on your profile. Simply put, this feature helps you organize your photos into a story line.

Mr. Felix227 Posts

A Math Nerd and a Computer Geek. Currently a Windows 10 Insider. Interested in AI, big data and AR/VR. Takes a keen interest in developments in the tech, business and social media spheres.

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