After a failed $3 billion buyout of Snapchat, Facebook fired one back, Thursday, by announcing that Instagram will now carry key features similar to that of Snapchat. The popular app will now give users the ability to share videos and images in a private setting, something that many teenagers seem to enjoy doing on Snapchat, and Facebook has recognized this.
The social network has come to terms that fewer teenagers are using its service, therefore it attempted to buy Snapchat by throwing a whopping $3 billion on the table, but surprisingly enough, Snapchat politely declined the offer. With that out of the way, Facebook is now out for blood.
The new Instagram feature is called Instagram Direct. Whenever users are about to share a video or image, they will see an option called Direct. Users will be able to share content with up to 15 other Instagram users, which admittedly is a decent addition. Display images of recipients of the shared content will showcase a tick icon when the image is viewed, and a heart icon if they should choose to like it.
"From how you capture photos and videos to the way you start conversations through likes and comments, we built Instagram Direct to feel natural to the Instagram experience you already know," according to a post on the Instagram blog. "When you open Instagram, you'll now see a new icon in the top right corner of your home feed. Tap it to open your inbox where you'll see photos and videos that people have sent to you. To send a photo or video to specific people, tap the camera button to enter the same simple photo or video capture and editing screens. At the top of the share screen, you'll see the option to share with your followers ("Followers") or to send to specific people ("Direct"). To send using Direct, tap the names of the people you want to send your photo or video to, write your caption, tap "send" and you're done."
The app is called Instagram 5.0 and it is available right now for iOS on the App Store and Android via Google Play. The Windows Phone version of Instagram is in beta, thus meaning these new features will come to Windows Phone users in a future update.
Shares of Facebook closed 4.96 percent up at $51.83 on the NASDAQ on Thursday.
