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| Photo by Erik Lucatero |
Instagram is testing a bunch of new features, including one very intriguing and long-awaited button that will put several 3rd party apps out of business: the Regram. The new features were published by The Next Web, which was able to obtain screenshots of several feature updates that are still only being tested with small groups of users.
First things first though: Regram. Like Tumblr’s Reblog or Facebook’s Share, regramming would allow Instagram users to share another user’s photo or video with their own followers. Third party apps already allow for a cumbersome version of this, but a built-in button has never existed… until now.
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| Regram Button Screenshot. Credit: The Next Web |
In addition to the Regram, TNW found that Instagram may soon:
- Allow you to search for and add GIFs to your profile or Instagram Story.
- Allow iOS users to join a Beta program that will give you early access to upcoming versions of the app.
- Add an Archive feature for Stories (you can already archive regular posts)
- Create a “Closest Friends List” that lets you share posts or stories with a smaller more intimate group.
- Share to WhatsApp
- Search by Top Hashtag and Top Emoji
- Follow hashtags, not just other profiles
There is also an “Add Coffee” button that mysteriously popped up in the share page (the same page where you write your caption, select the social media accounts you’d like to share to, and click post). Nobody seems to have any idea what that’s about.
To see screenshots of all these features, head over to The Next Web’s report by clicking here. And let us know what you think of these new features in the comments down below.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
Instagram celebrates 800M users with update that takes on comment trolls
Instagram officially hit 800 million users this week, but the Facebook-owned company has no interest in resting on its laurels. In fact, alongside its “hey, we added another 100M users… no big deal” announcement, the company continued its crusade against comment trolls by launching the most powerful commenting controls the app has seen yet.
The numbers bit was only mentioned briefly in Instagram’s news release. “Our community has grown to 800 million, with 500 million using it every day,” writes Instagram. “It’s more important than ever to strengthen our commitment to safety and kindness.”
And so the company has added some interesting new comment controls. Namely: filtering who can comment on your posts if you have a public account, and the ability to block individual accounts from commenting on your pictures. The controls look like this in your Settings:
In addition to the updated commenting controls—which is just the latest in a series of ‘safety and kindness’ updates the company has released—Instagram also added anonymous reporting of Live Video to their mental health resources. If you are viewing a live broadcast that has you worried about the poster, you can anonymously report the post, which will show the person “a message offering help with options to talk to a helpline, reach out to a friend or get other tips and support.”
To learn more about these updates or see them in action for yourself, head over to the Instagram blog or update your iOS and Android apps to the latest version.
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)
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