Instagram Apes Snapchat Again With New 'Events' Channel

[MacRumors]

Instagram has introduced a new "Events" channel in the Explore section of its app that highlights user photos and video clips captured during specific events from around the world.

Currently only available in the U.S., the new channel implements an algorithm to curate media from events like sports games and concerts, based on a user's preferences and habits, according to a post on the company's site.

Snapchat users may be experiencing déjà vu all over again at this point, given that the new Instagram feature is extremely similar to the rival app's Discover channel "Live Stories", where reels of photos and videos are shared publicly by users at a particular event.

The addition of the new feature by Instagram certainly follows a trend. Earlier this month, the Facebook-owned photo and video sharing platform announced "Instagram Stories", which functions identically to Snapchat's Stories in that it lets users post customized images and videos on their profile, where they live for 24 hours before disappearing completely.

Surprisingly, Instagram has been upfront about its recent tendency to imitate Snapchat features. While demoing its new Stories feature for TechCrunch, Instagram CEO Kevin Systro admitted that Snapchat "deserve all the credit".

Article Link: Instagram Apes Snapchat Again With New 'Events' Channel

 

[Asarien]

I'm good, thanks.

 

[soupcan]

If they have it, we must have it!

 

[smacrumon]

It seems Snapchat and Instagram might be competitors. Race to the bottom as they both bloat their products. Position vacant in the App Store for a new simple photo app.

 

[autistic-savant]

👻

 

[Telos101]

I've been studying this post for a while now and am unable to find the "mac" bit, the "rumors" bit, or even the "news you care about" bit.

Can anyone help please?

Sure! It's in the iOS blog and comes under "news". The "care about" part is naturally subjective.

I never explored Snapchat but had an Instagram account for years. Don't mind if they want to copy a few features, will check it out if anything's happnin'.

 

[gigapocket1]

I've been studying this post for a while now and am unable to find the "mac" bit, the "rumors" bit, or even the "news you care about" bit.

Can anyone help please?

I know it's MacRumors.. But these 2 apps are probably the most used iOS Apps in the app store..

 

[S.B.G]

I like Instagram because it was Instagram, and I'm not liking it trying to compete and copy Snapchat. I don't like the new "Stories" feature and wish I could disable the line at the top of the feed.

 

[Sharewaredemon]

I like Instagram because it was Instagram, and I'm not liking it trying to compete and copy Snapchat. I don't like the new "Stories" feature and wish I could disable the line at the top of the feed.

I agree, I haven't updated because I don't care about stories and don't want it in the way. It's such a pity users of awesome free things don't get choice on how those free things work...

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

It seems Snapchat and Instagram might be competitors. Race to the bottom as they both bloat their products. Position vacant in the App Store for a new simple photo app.

Simple never wins in the long run. People want more than simple one trick pony apps.

When the App Store first launched, people were cool with apps that did just one thing. That has changed long ago now and the single trick apps and simple ones don't survive or even see nearly the uptake that more advanced apps do.
[doublepost=1471521290][/doublepost]

I like Instagram because it was Instagram, and I'm not liking it trying to compete and copy Snapchat. I don't like the new "Stories" feature and wish I could disable the line at the top of the feed.

Aaaah, the grumpy guy that hates change. I bet you liked it better when cars only had AM radios, then FM had to come along and make things all complicated and cluttered.

Many are naturally resistant to change but without it pushed upon them we'd never see advancement. Without it the user numbers and frequency of app usage falls. Without it these companies fail.

So you're just going to have to live with it. But chances are, you'll find use for the new features at some point. Those that cried about new features on Facebook last year are some of the biggest users of those same features today.

 

[smacrumon]

Simple never wins in the long run. People want more than simple one trick pony apps.

When the App Store first launched, people were cool with apps that did just one thing. That has changed long ago now and the single trick apps and simple ones don't survive or even see nearly the uptake that more advanced apps do.
[doublepost=1471521290][/doublepost]

Aaaah, the grumpy guy that hates change. I bet you liked it better when cars only had AM radios, then FM had to come along and make things all complicated and cluttered.

Many are naturally resistant to change but without it pushed upon them we'd never see advancement. Without it the user numbers and frequency of app usage falls. Without it these companies fail.

So you're just going to have to live with it. But chances are, you'll find use for the new features at some point. Those that cried about new features on Facebook last year are some of the biggest users of those same features today.

Interesting. Is there any solid data supporting that the single trick apps and simple ones don't survive or even see nearly theuptake that more advanced apps do?

 

[S.B.G]

Aaaah, the grumpy guy that hates change. I bet you liked it better when cars only had AM radios, then FM had to come along and make things all complicated and cluttered.

Many are naturally resistant to change but without it pushed upon them we'd never see advancement. Without it the user numbers and frequency of app usage falls. Without it these companies fail.

So you're just going to have to live with it. But chances are, you'll find use for the new features at some point. Those that cried about new features on Facebook last year are some of the biggest users of those same features today.

No, not really. I have no issues with change per se except when it either doesn't make sense or I just don't care for it. Just because something changes doesn't mean I have to accept it outright and without question or feedback.

These two changes from Instagram are not preventing me from continuing to enjoy or use the app, but it is something I can do without and would like an option to disable it.

 

[LordQ]

What did you expect from a Facebook-owned app? Bloat, ads and bloat.

 

[Jakexb]

It seems Snapchat and Instagram might be competitors. Race to the bottom as they both bloat their products. Position vacant in the App Store for a new simple photo app.

It could be VSCO but they've made their app impossible to use. Something about swiping on this joystick-like circle thing to get you to various screens with vague icons.

Love their filters but the app is impossible.

 

[Sefstah]

I've been studying this post for a while now and am unable to find the "mac" bit, the "rumors" bit, or even the "news you care about" bit.

Can anyone help please?

Are you complaining about a site thats free, where people work hard to bring you anything Apple realeted news? You are free to leave my friend. Or better yet, try starting your own blog and pleasing every single human on this planet.

 

[Keane16]

Simple never wins in the long run. People want more than simple one trick pony apps.

When the App Store first launched, people were cool with apps that did just one thing. That has changed long ago now and the single trick apps and simple ones don't survive or even see nearly the uptake that more advanced apps do.

Well take Google, they had the complex Hangouts, and as people didn't flock to that they've come out with a more simple solution of separate apps for communication - Allo & Duo.

So they've done exactly the opposite of what you say. The initial more full featured Hangouts now being aimed at the business market. With Allo and Duo offering focused single use case apps for consumers.

https://www.engadget.com/2016/08/16/google-hangouts-business-focus-duo-allo/

Personally I don't might the extra features if they're coherent.

 

[nburwell]

I like Instagram because it was Instagram, and I'm not liking it trying to compete and copy Snapchat. I don't like the new "Stories" feature and wish I could disable the line at the top of the feed.

I couldn't agree more. My fiancée is always on the "explore" tab. Me? I do use it from time to time to discovery new people to follow, but I don't really look at the popular photos on IG. I would be nice to be able to disable the feature.

I can see it now, come the fall once the NFL season starts, I'll see similar stories in not only Snapchat but Instagram as well.

 

[Vanilla35]

I've been studying this post for a while now and am unable to find the "mac" bit, the "rumors" bit, or even the "news you care about" bit.

Can anyone help please?

Both are apps in the app store. Just like Angry Birds, Pokemon GO, or iFart Mobile - Any one of them can crop up at a moment's notice! Beware!

 

[73b]

I've been studying this post for a while now and am unable to find the "mac" bit, the "rumors" bit, or even the "news you care about" bit.

Can anyone help please?

Maybe next time they will personally email you the article so you can decide if they should publish it, since your interests represent those of all this website's readers.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Well take Google, they had the complex Hangouts, and as people didn't flock to that they've come out with a more simple solution of separate apps for communication - Allo & Duo.

So they've done exactly the opposite of what you say. The initial more full featured Hangouts now being aimed at the business market. With Allo and Duo offering focused single use case apps for consumers.

https://www.engadget.com/2016/08/16/google-hangouts-business-focus-duo-allo/

Personally I don't might the extra features if they're coherent.

You can't use an example of success with a product that was released less than a week ago. If I release an app today that does nothing I can't call that a great example of an app that does a single thing (nothing) working.

Allo and Duo are a clean start after Hangouts was moved to YouTube. With time they will see plenty of other features and additions added just as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Google and every other product that has seen success has also seen done to it with time.
[doublepost=1471535470][/doublepost]

I couldn't agree more. My fiancée is always on the "explore" tab. Me? I do use it from time to time to discovery new people to follow, but I don't really look at the popular photos on IG. I would be nice to be able to disable the feature.

I can see it now, come the fall once the NFL season starts, I'll see similar stories in not only Snapchat but Instagram as well.

Discover doesn't just show popular pictures in general. It shows them based on you interests. They're tailored based on what you like on Instagram. Those that don't use it are missing out on great accounts you'd never come across otherwise.

 

[stoopkidblues]

Funny, it's really just Facebook (Instagram) trying to make up for the buy they couldn't close with Snapchat. So instead they're just going to copy most of it's features and, subjectively, make them better. Interesting to see how Snapchat responds.

Snapchat... your move.

 

[RobbieTheVillain]

I never explored Snapchat but had an Instagram account for years. Don't mind if they want to copy a few features, will check it out if anything's happnin'.

You know you can spy on snapchat, don't you?