Instagram is trying out video calling at the moment, and according to Verge writer Thuy Ong, will likely release the feature globally “soon”. Users will now have the ability to start a chat within a direct message both with a single person and in groups.
While the amount of people that can participate in a group video chat hasn’t been announced yet, this new update is one of many changes Instagram has put into motion in the hopes of expanding from their photo sharing niche into a “full fledged messaging service” writes Ong.
Video chat isn’t all. The update also gives users the option to share from the GoPro and Spotify apps, as well as revamping the Explore tab to help users see content they’re interested in by scrolling through specific topics, such as food, fitness or animals.
In my opinion, this update is long past due. Facebook launched their video calling feature in 2015 and Snapchat, who has long supported direct video chat, introduced group video chat and tagging friends in Stories last month. This update seems to be one more way Instagram (owned by Facebook) is trying to supersede Snap Inc.
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