Instagram is taking the fight directly to its rival Snapchat as it introduces a new video calling feature for both iOS and Android starting today. With two enormously popular video calling options already under its belt such as WhatsApp and Messenger, Facebook, which owns Instagram, is now looking for total dominance.
The feature was first announced at Facebook's annual F8 Developers conference. Instagram video chat, which happens via Instagram direct, allows up to 4 people to simultaneously chat at once. Users will now see a small video button on all your contacts direct message chat window and clicking on it will start a video call with that person. User's who have been blocked cannot video call you.
There are some other noteworthy features as well. Want to browse your Instagram feed while video calling with your buddies? You can minimize the window so that the video chat appears like picture-in-picture display and continue to scroll through your feed. Don't worry, your buddies can't see what you are browsing. You can also have more friends join an Instagram call already in progress.
In terms of competition, Snapchat allows up to 16 people to join in on a video call while FaceTime can double that number to 32.
Some other features that were announced at F8 are also being made available. The Explore page will now be segmented to show various topics along with associated content below it. This could really open Instagram users to more creators, kind of like how YouTube does.
A horizontal tray of channels above Explore will appear showing a curated 'For You' collection along with videos on Art, Beauty, Sports, Fashion and more. Below that would be a list of popular hashtags which will be displayed according to the topic channel you choose. If you’d like to remove a topic channel, press and hold the channel and select ‘Mute Art’ from the menu.