Since Instagram introduced Instagram Stories a couple of months back, the social network has been constantly updating it, bringing in more and more features. Today, Instagram announced another update, this time, bringing live videos to Instagram Stories, as well as disappearing photos and videos for groups and friends in Instagram Direct.
With this update, you can share live videos directly on Instagram Stories. Just swipe right from your feed to open the camera, and tap the “Start Live Video” button. You can share live videos of up to an hour, and comment and heart as much as you want. You can also toggle off comments if you wish to. What makes live videos on Instagram Stories stand out is that unlike other live broadcasting services like Facebook Live and Twitter’s Periscope, as soon as the video ends, it disappears and will be unavailable for further viewing.
On top of live videos, Instagram is also rolling out an update that allow users to send disappearing photos and videos directly to groups and individual friends. Just swipe right into the camera to take a photo or video, then tap the arrow to send it privately. Unlike other messages in Direct, the photos and videos will disappear from your friends’ inboxes after they’ve seen it, and you will see if they replayed it or took a screenshot.
“To open your inbox, tap the new paper airplane icon at the top right corner of your feed or swipe left. You’ll see disappearing photos and videos in a bar at the top. Tap the ones with blue rings to see what your friends sent you. In a group, you can see everyone’s responses — and who else has seen them — in a slideshow format. Then when you’re done, just tap their faded profile photo to send a quick response.”
Live video on Instagram Stories will be rolling out globally over the next few weeks, and disappearing photos and videos on Instagram Direct will start rolling out globally today.
(Source: Instagram via: The Verge)
