Instagram had major changes in May. The social network of photos and videos started to share photos from the feed on Stories, a native solution for Repost. Brazilian users were also given the possibility to buy cinema tickets directly through the app, as well as make restaurant reservations. Video calls, new stickers and even a counter capable of knowing the time spent on the app were released. Check the list with all the news and tests from Instagram in the last month.
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Instagram lana funes inditas in May Photo: Carolina Ochsendorf / dnetc
Instagram will allow video calls. The announcement was made by Facebook, owner of the application, at the company's annual conference (F8) last month. The function will be activated on a button in Direct. Chat on the camera can even be done with a group of friends, just like on Skype, Messenger and the latest on WhatsApp. For now, the limit of participants is still unknown.
An advantage of the feature is that it can minimize connections. That way, the user can see the feed while the call is in the background. There is still no confirmed date for the general release of the tool. The expectation that arrives in the application for smartphones with Android and iPhone (iOS) in the coming weeks.
Instagram has video feature called native Photo: Divulgao / Instagram
2. Integration with Spotify and more
Facebook released other changes on Instagram during F8. The social network of photos and videos also has a better integration with Spotify. With that, it is possible to add any music from the streaming service directly in Stories. The list must be public for the resource to work. The cover appears as a resizable sticker and brings a link that forwards straight to the tube and, thus, saves time for those who like to share Spotify's own playlist.
In addition, the app also makes it possible to upload videos to Stories directly from a GoPro and offers the redesigned Explore tab. The section now shows shortcuts on various topics. When clicking on one of them, the user has a list of videos on the subject, interesting for those searching for a specific hashtag. So far, the novelty is only available in the Beta version of the application, but it should reach everyone soon.
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3. Instagram payment test
At the beginning of the month, Instagram started testing a direct payment function through the app. Instead of being redirected to the seller's website with the "Buy Now" button, the entire transaction made through the social network, just have a credit or debit card registered.
To reinforce security, an app tab allows you to enter a PIN code before each purchase, as a way of authorizing the process.
Instagram tests function for purchases without leaving the app Photo: Divulgao / Instagram
Instagram also works on another way to add music to Stories in addition to better integration with Spotify. A code discovered in the APK suggests that the social network is developing a specific sticker with the feature. When clicked, the sticker redirects the displayed music person. However, the figures would only bring titles licensed by Facebook, in agreement with record companies.
The social network would also be involved in creating a way to detect songs heard. As the TechCrunch website states, the Instagram tool could automatically suggest images and information about the artist to be shared on Stories. The features have not yet been confirmed.
New sticker would be next to the "Localizao" sticker on Instagram Stories Photo: Divulgao / Instagram
5. Purchase of tickets and new Direct for companies
A week after the tests, the direct purchase function by the app officially reached Brazilian users. Through a credit card registered in the profile, it is possible to buy cinema tickets and reserve tables in restaurants. Restorando was the first service to explore the function in Brazil.
On the same day, Direct turned to the Business version got some changes. The app eliminated "Pending Requests" and started displaying messages from profiles that are not yet followers on the main screen. The idea is to speed up the service, give the account administrator the possibility to add filters and prioritize waiting customers. Quick responses, such as sending basic information (the address of the store, for example) in a few clicks, were also put to the test.
Instagram allows you to buy tickets and make reservations on the app natively Photo: Divulgao / Instagram
6. More interactive polls
Instagram also won a slidable emoji for Stories. The sticker offers a new form of interaction by allowing followers to express themselves according to the intensity of the bar. The idea, according to Instagram, to give an emotional context to the post and increase engagement.
The feature is available on the Stories sticker tab. After choosing the figure, just add a question and choose the background color. The sticker changes in size as it slides to the right or left. The new type of poll is available on both Android and iPhone phones.
Sliding emoji shows animations when answering the question Photo: Reproduction / Anna Kellen Bull
7. History of biographies
Another update of the social network was the history of biographies. Instagram maintains a collection of all the descriptions used in the profile. The new function is part of the tool in which the user can know everything he shares with the social network, see how to download everything Instagram knows about you.
Access can only be done through Instagram Web, available only on the PC. After checking the history, just copy the text back to the biography.
View the history of biographies of an Instagram profile on the web Photo: Reproduo / Marvin Costa
A "peculiar" tool is under development by Instagram. A code discovered in the APK for Android suggests the implementation of a kind of hour meter. The feature called Usage Insights and will account for the time the user uses the app.
Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom confirmed the test via Twitter. However, it is not possible to state that the social network of photos and videos will continue with the resource and make it available to the public. The idea would not be completely clear. Google, for example, announced a similar feature on Android P to control app usage during the annual Google I / O conference in May.
New Instagram menu may have "Usage Insights". Feature displays how long the user spent online in the app Photo: Reproduo / Jane Menchun Wong
One of the most anticipated features, Repost, was added to Instagram, but in a different way than users imagined. The social network included the possibility of sharing other people's posts on Stories. Until then, interested parties needed to use third-party apps, such as Repost and Regram, in order to take action. The only requirement is that the content be from a public account.
The post shared in the story receives the due credits from its owner. A sticker leads to the original profile. You can also do any type of editing, such as cropping, resizing the photo and adding stickers.
Feed posts can be shared on Instagram Stories as stickers Photo: Divulgao / Instagram
A new way of not seeing the contents of an account without stopping to follow it has also been released. This will be done through the "Mute" button (mute, in Portuguese). When making a contact, all posts, whether in the feed or Stories, will no longer appear. Shares can only be seen when accessing the silenced profile.
Instagram does not send any type of notification to anyone who is "silent". However, whoever triggered the resource continues to receive alerts, if marked in posts and comments by the profile. Functionality should reach everyone soon.
To use Mute, click on the three dots next to the post and select what you want to mute Photo: Divulgao / Instagram
Is it possible to see Stories from a blocked profile? Exchange tips in the dnetc forum.
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