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Instagram Code Suggests Upcoming Voice and Video Calling Features

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Evidence has emerged that Instagram is planning video calling features for the social media app. TechCrunch has unearthed icons from the Android version of the app that seem to point to the new calling and video calling functions likely destined for Instagram's Direct messaging system.


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Files named "call" and "video call" with phone and camera icons were dug up in the app's Android application packages (APKs), which can often reveal components for unreleased functions that are present but not yet live.

The company has been improving its private messaging capabilities at a steady rate, most recently adding live video support. Instagram has also been testing a new standalone app called "Direct" that will be solely focused on direct messaging friends and family members.

The addition of voice and video calling would put Instagram in competition with Snapchat on yet another front. Apart from Stories, Instagram has been working hard to outdo Snapchat with other new features like replay privacy controls, which the latter doesn't currently offer.

Article Link: Instagram Code Suggests Upcoming Voice and Video Calling Features
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/03/02/instagram-testing-voice-video-calling-features/
This is becoming ridiculous.
A single purpose app is becoming a jack of all trades once more. How many messaging apps do you really need?
I've already had it up to here with notifications from Messenger, Snap, Instagram, WhatsApp and a few more all doing the same basic thing.
 
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windywalks said:
This is becoming ridiculous.
A single purpose app is becoming a jack of all trades once more. How many messaging apps do you really need?
I've already had it up to here with notifications from Messenger, Snap, Instagram, WhatsApp and a few more all doing the same basic thing.
Click to expand...
Nobody told you you need all those accounts + apps.

I've been increasingly happy with Instagram over the past few years. This feature could be great as long as they keep it in the Direct page (or the upcoming Direct app, which would be even better) and not spread out everywhere else.
 
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martyjmclean said:
Nobody told you you need all those accounts + apps.

I've been increasingly happy with Instagram over the past few years. This feature could be great as long as they keep it in the Direct page (or the upcoming Direct app, which would be even better) and not spread out everywhere else.
Click to expand...
You've seen the other comments I guess, so I figure you noticed that duplicating functionality across Facebook owned apps has become a reality that nobody wants.
You could say nobody is forcing me to use any of these apps. True, that's why I don't have the Facebook app on my iPhone at all. Instagram has become my go to place to see what my friends are up to. It has been great so far, but amassing features upon features in an app that used to be straightforward and clean doesn't serve it well. They tried that with Snapchat and it's a flaming piece of garbage (as if it wasn't already, I'm 31 and I still don't get what the purpose of this app really is, guess I'm not the target audience).
I wouldn't use WhatsApp but even some of my iPhone toting friends insist on using it only adding to the clutter that is my Notification Center.
 
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windywalks said:
You've seen the other comments I guess, so I figure you noticed that duplicating functionality across Facebook owned apps has become a reality that nobody wants.
You could say nobody is forcing me to use any of these apps. True, that's why I don't have the Facebook app on my iPhone at all. Instagram has become my go to place to see what my friends are up to. It has been great so far, but amassing features upon features in an app that used to be straightforward and clean doesn't serve it well. They tried that with Snapchat and it's a flaming piece of garbage (as if it wasn't already, I'm 31 and I still don't get what the purpose of this app really is, guess I'm not the target audience).
I wouldn't use WhatsApp but even some of my iPhone toting friends insist on using it only adding to the clutter that is my Notification Center.
Click to expand...

You're making that assumption based on a couple online comments. People against anything are always going to be the most vocal.

The reality is, Instagram has PILES of data supporting the usage of any feature they add. They test it and know that users not only use it but engage with Instagram even more by adding it.

They have real data. You have just assumptions based on your own feelings.
 
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OldSchoolMacGuy said:
You're making that assumption based on a couple online comments. People against anything are always going to be the most vocal.

The reality is, Instagram has PILES of data supporting the usage of any feature they add. They test it and know that users not only use it but engage with Instagram even more by adding it.

They have real data. You have just assumptions based on your own feelings.
Click to expand...
What’s wrong with assumptions based on people’s feelings? This is the comments section of a tech rumor blog (literally the place to share your opinions).
 
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macdave91 said:
What’s wrong with assumptions based on people’s feelings? This is the comments section of a tech rumor blog (literally the place to share your opinions).
Click to expand...

You can't simply assume your own feelings are the norm or majority view. A number of biases come into play.

I'm in no way saying you can't have your own opinion. Just recognize that it's not that of most users, unless you have data to back that up (simply going by what people on a forum say isn't useful data as it's generally one sided and completely inaccurate for these purposes).
 
CrickettGrrrl said:
I can't see reasons why an Instagram user would want this video call feature but I can see why intrusive FB/Instagram would want enhanced control of users' cameras & mics.
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Literally the only reason they are doing this. 100% agree. The greatest trick the Government Ever Pulled, was they got us to spy on ourselves, and made people love it at the same time. I worry for the sheep.

Off the Grid is still the way to go. I don't use social media of any kind. It baffles people, but I'm baffled that social media is just over 10 years old and has hook on society like nothing else before it.
[doublepost=1520021354][/doublepost]The greatest trick the Government Ever Pulled, was they got us to spy on ourselves, and made people love it at the same time.

Off the Grid is still the way to go. I don't use social media of any kind. It baffles people, but I'm baffled that social media is just over 10 years old and has a hook on society like nothing else before it.
 
I'm a Facebook group where the people in the group where asking about starting an Instagram group (this group deals with visual-based content). Except you can't. Instagram isn't just about putting up photos, it's about creating a community around those photos. Video calling and communication tools in general definitely enhances this. It's another way to keep users within the app as opposed to having them resort to something outside of the app.
 
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