In its attempts to fuse its apps into one, Facebook has merged Messenger and Instagram. With this move, you can chat with other people from Messenger to Instagram, and vice versa. You won’t even need to get a separate app. 

Instagram and Messenger in One

In a blog post, both heads of Instagram and Messenger spoke of the merger. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, and Stan Chudnovsky, head of Messenger, welcomed the update to Instagram.

So begins the unhappy matrimony of Instagram and Facebook Messenger https://t.co/5iBuVAdnba pic.twitter.com/LaJWwImbPM

— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) September 30, 2020

This merger means that Facebook is bringing Messenger’s chat features to Instagram. In their post, the two heads said that more people are chatting privately on social media nowadays. Knowing this, they wanted to connect both experiences in one app.

Messenger on Instagram?

Gizmodo reports that the new update gives Instagram new messaging features. Among these new features is a “Watch Together” mode. This mode lets people watch viral videos while video-chatting. Another new feature is the “Vanish mode.” With this mode, you can set your messages to disappear as soon as the recipient reads them.

In August, Facebook had already hinted at mixing Messenger and Instagram. Instagram users on Android and iOS received messages telling them they could use Instagram to chat with friends on Messenger. 

What’s Next for Facebook?

In the Gizmodo report, Facebook should roll out the new messaging service to some countries worldwide. Soon after, the company will expand this service to all countries. However, this service would not support chatting with WhatsApp.

The post Facebook Combines Messenger and Instagram first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

Instagram is giving its TikTok clone, Reels, a new upgrade. With the update, users can now make 30-second Reels videos, instead of the standard 15 seconds. TikTok already lets users create videos up to a minute long. 

Instagram Reels

The Verge reports that Instagram is also extending its Reels timer from three to ten seconds. Moreover, Instagram should now allow Reels users to cut or delete any clip to smooth out the editing process.  

Instagram is rolling out updates to Reels, including longer video lengths https://t.co/feE40nMYcM pic.twitter.com/YKBT9YDdoT

— The Verge (@verge) September 24, 2020

Is Reels a TikTok-Killer?

While Instagram has not released data about the number of people using Reels, it seems to focus on the feature. Robby Stein said that Instagram is betting “big on entertainment,” when Reels launched. Stein added that Reels boost Instagram by opening up an Instagram entertainment zone.

Stein is Instagram’s product director. 

What Is Instagram Reels?

Instagram Reels lets users create short videos for sharing among followers. You can set these videos to music, which could go viral. For Instagram, the short video format could bring in more users. Moreover, Reels could make Instagram a video entertainment platform as well.

Once you’ve made a Reel, you can also share it with your friends directly on Instagram. They can also use Instagram’s AR tools and filters on the videos. With TikTok and Reels, creators have a lot of tools to make viral content. However, unlike TikTok, Instagram won’t pay creators for their videos, for now.

The post Instagram Reels Now Allows 30-Second Videos first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

Instagram users missing Messenger’s options for direct messages should be excited now that Facebook is integrating both apps. The company plans to let Instagram users send private messages through Messenger. 

Instagram and Messenger in One App

Engadget has reported on Facebook’s plans to unify all of its apps. Under this plan, users can now send messages to their friends across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The company is hard at work to realize this plan. If they succeed, they could release the full update suite by the end of the year.

Facebook’s plans also include putting end-to-end encryption to all three apps. WhatsApp already uses this feature. With this move, Facebook could address the privacy issues it has faced for years.

Instagram starts merging chats with Facebook Messenger https://t.co/wrT0TGSxK9 pic.twitter.com/HRSCiW7eSh

— Engadget (@engadget) August 15, 2020

How Did Facebook Combine Instagram and Messenger?

According to The Verge, a pop-up message appeared on Instagram Friday evening. The message read: “There’s a New Way to Message on Instagram.” Along with the note were new features like colorful chats, more emojis, swiping to reply, and sending messages to Facebook friends.

If you update Instagram, you’ll see that the Facebook Messenger logo has replaced the old DM icon. Your chats are more colorful. However, you still can’t chat with your Facebook friends. 

What Do Facebook’s Moves Mean?

By integrating all three apps, Facebook could pose a challenge to Apple’s popular iMessage app. With Instagram and WhatsApp, Facebook could change social media once again.

Facebook had bought Instagram in 2012 for $1 billion, while it bought WhatsApp two years later for $19 billion.

The post Facebook Merges Instagram And Messenger with New Update first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold

Facebook might be rolling out a new design for its Pages soon. First off, the company might remove the “Like” button and “Like” count from public pages. With the update, the company hopes to clean its pages of clutter. Facebook is currently testing its new design with a small number of public figures. 

Facebook to Remove “Likes”

Tech Crunch reports that Facebook’s tests involve “actors, authors, creators” and “a small handful of media entities, like bands and books.” If you’re part of the test, you’ll see an option on your Page to try out the new design on your phone. According to Tech Crunch, Facebook is also “expanding the test” to cover business pages in English. 

Part of the test is removing the “like” button and “like” counts. For public pages, you’ll just see the “Follow” button and follower count. Tech Crunch says this method gives you a clearer picture of your Page’s “true reach.” Removing likes also makes your Page more readable.

Facebook tests a new Page design with a cleaner layout and no more 'Like' button https://t.co/y0HL2u1lFs by @sarahintampa

— TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) July 22, 2020

Facebook Page Owners Get More Tools

Page owners now have more control to assign people to manage the Page. You can assign specific people to create your content, or reply to messages, or even reply to comments. 

If you want to comment as your Page, you can also switch easily from your profile to your Page profile to reply or comment. 

With this update, Page owners can now see their insights without added taps. You can see the ideas straight from your Page or even your posts. Right away, you can also check out your top-performing post, and insight overlaps with your Instagram. 

When Can I Use the New Facebook Layout?

As of now, Facebook is only testing its mobile version. You will have to wait for the company’s official announcement.

The post Facebook Tests New Design for Pages first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Irene Hawkins

As TikTok faces an intense US crackdown, Facebook moved to take it down by launching Reels, a new video-sharing feature. This new feature will go on Instagram, in tandem with Instagram Stories. After India banned TikTok earlier this month, Instagram opened Reels to take over the market. Facebook plans to extend Reels to the US and to over 50 more countries in August. 

In 2019, Facebook bought Instagram. 

What Is Instagram Reels?

Gizmodo notes that Instagram Reels works the same way as TikTok. Instagram users can “create 15-second videos set to music” and share it publicly. They can also “borrow” the audio from other users’ Reels and remix them for other creations.

Lots of TikTok videos have gone viral in the past. Instagram looks to feed into this by adding viral Reels to the “Featured Reels” tab. This feature gathers all viral Reels in one section. Users can also use Reels’ editing tools to tinker with their videos.

Instagram's new Reels feature is pretty obviously Facebook's attempt to take down TikTok https://t.co/JVNGWW9LVm pic.twitter.com/v56mBnplkj

— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) July 16, 2020

Will People Like Instagram Reels?

A report from Tech Crunch notes that in case TikTok gets banned, Instagram can lock up all of its former users. However, the report cautions that TikTok users may not jump right to Instagram. Not all TikTok users release the same types of videos anyway. If you dance, you might choose Dubsmash. If you’re Gen Z, you might prefer Byte.

Despite this, though, Instagram remains of the most-used apps in the world. Tech Crunch reports that Facebook has not announced Reels’ US release date yet.

Why Is TikTok in Trouble?

Tiktok has found itself in hot water recently. US lawmakers point to its Chinese origin as a possible threat to national security. Because of this, they fear that the Chinese government is harvesting user data. President Donald Trump even said they were looking to banning the app in the US. 

Some companies have already banned TikTok. Wells Fargo told its employees to delete the app from their phones. Even the US military asked soldiers to remove the app in their government-issued phones. 

As of now, people will have to wait to see if Instagram can take TikTok’s place.  

The post Instagram Launches “Reels,” Challenging TikTok’s Dominance first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold