Instagram Copies Snapchat Yet Again With Face Filters and Rewinded Video

[MacRumors]

Instagram today introduced even more Snapchat-like features in the latest version of its app, including face filters, a customizable hashtag sticker, a "rewind" playback option for videos, and an eraser brush.

Just like Snapchat, the face filters allow users to add bunny ears, glasses, tiaras, and other virtual objects to their selfies. There are eight filters to choose from after tapping the new face icon in the bottom right corner of the camera.

The new customizable hashtag sticker can be added to photos by tapping the sticker icon at the top right of the screen. People watching an Instagram story can tap the sticker to visit the hashtag's archive and explore related posts.

The new "Rewind" option simply enables users to make their videos play in reverse, while the eraser brush can remove parts of overlaid drawings or color.

The new features are available in the latest version of Instagram for iOS rolling out today on the App Store [Direct Link].

Article Link: Instagram Copies Snapchat Yet Again With Face Filters and Rewinded Video

 

[JackieInCo]

Thank God I am running a custom version of Instagram with Instagram ++ baked in so my app never shows as having updates in the app store. They keep adding these crappy features.

 

[JaySoul]

Imitation is the sincerest form of wanting to crush the competition.

 

[bigjnyc]

Thank God I am running a custom version of Instagram with Instagram ++ baked in so my app never shows as having updates in the app store. They keep adding these crappy features.

You dont have to use them lol. I still use Instagram in its original form and ignore all of the little gimmicks for teenagers.

I do wish I had instagram ++ though for certain features, but havent figured out how to get it without JB

 

[JackieInCo]

You dont have to use them lol.

I'm aware. On my Jailbroken iPhones, I have used appadmin to downgrade to an early version that doesn't even have stories built in. Options.

 

[rp2011]

When the features of a popular children's app start appearing a in much better mainstream app, ..in more than one way it makes that awful children's app seem more and more like something headed for the trash pile.

 

[Return Zero]

Funny how instagram never seemed to feel the need to copy other networks' features until snapchat got big. I guess it also happened around the time facebook bought them so maybe post hoc ergo propter hoc here, but I wonder if they're specifically jealous of snap for some reason. I suppose they could just see snap as their only real competition? I mean, for instance, you still can't 're-gram' without third party apps, so clearly they're not targeting the twitter loyalists.

 

[LordQ]

What a bloated mess, just like all the other "Facebook family of products".

 

[nburwell]

You dont have to use them lol. I still use Instagram in its original form and ignore all of the little gimmicks for teenagers.

Same here. I have basically ignored these "new" Snapchat features that Instagram has implemented over the past year or so.

If I want to take a funny/silly picture to send to my friends, that is what I use Snapchat for.

 

[bpp85]

I'm the first to admit that i stopped using Snapchat once instagram added stories and I noticed a lot of my friends did the same.

I feel kind of bad for Snapchat, instagram basically copied everything that made them big. Is that even legal? Can Snapchat sue them?

 

[Glassed Silver]

I still haven't gotten over the fact that Snapchat, a messenger, let's not kid ourselves, that gained most of its appeal from "safely" sending nudes to acquaintances is now one of the marketed ways to engage with brands, many of which are old-fashioned and traditionally slow to adopt technological change.

Glassed Silver:mac

 

[eveluvsrainbows]

Thank God I am running a custom version of Instagram with Instagram ++ baked in so my app never shows as having updates in the app store. They keep adding these crappy features.

>Crappy features

No. Just no.

 

[Cosmosent]

In their Quest to copy Snapchat, Instagram let their Guard Down, and has been Leapfrogged by one third-party app implementing the Next Big Thing, "Social Motion Photography" ... true Innovation doesn't come from copying (& refining) someone else's features, it comes from Blazing One's Own Path, and taking chances ... soon, everyone will see a new app icon next to Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

 

[bigjnyc]

In their Quest to copy Snapchat, Instagram let their Guard Down, and has been Leapfrogged by one third-party app implementing the Next Big Thing, "Social Motion Photography" ... true Innovation doesn't come from copying (& refining) someone else's features, it comes from Blazing One's Own Path, and taking chances ... soon, everyone will see a new app icon next to Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

what in the world are you going on about?

 

[CarlJ]

"Rewinded"?
Not, "Rewound"?
This is why the English language can't have nice things.

 

[Glassed Silver]

"Rewinded"?
Not, "Rewound"?
This is why the English language can't have nice things.

It doesn't sound nice, but apparently is correct according to dictionary.com

verb (used with or without object), rewound or (Rare) rewinded; rewinding.

To be honest though, this is one of those cases where a correct spelling does invoke the same amount of choke potential as a plain wrong one.

Glassed Silver:ios

 

[bennyf]

I still haven't gotten over the fact that Snapchat, a messenger, let's not kid ourselves, that gained most of its appeal from "safely" sending nudes to acquaintances is now one of the marketed ways to engage with brands, many of which are old-fashioned and traditionally slow to adopt technological change.

Right there with you. It's why I've resisted Snapchat for so long -- the stigma from their early days is hard to shake. Even though I know a lot of teens who see it as basically another messaging app. Makes me feel old.

 

[Internet Enzyme]

what in the world are you going on about?

I mean Really, what the Hell, is he even Trying to Say?

 

[Glassed Silver]

Right there with you. It's why I've resisted Snapchat for so long -- the stigma from their early days is hard to shake. Even though I know a lot of teens who see it as basically another messaging app. Makes me feel old.

Oh I never felt bothered by it, just amused these days.

What I don't like is this: I don't want ANOTHER app to check for something as crucial as communication.

I use a multi-messanger on my Mac for a reason, but more and more services start closing down their protocols or don't deploy open standards to begin with / don't allow API access from 3rd parties... BIG MEH!

Also, I don't like my communication logged by everyone in the middle (encrypted stream or not) but ironically for "privacy reasons" not be the recipient and myself.

WTF. If you send me a pic and I like it you better believe I'll save it if I feel like you're a person worth my time.

My stepdad passed away last week, guess how glad I am to have a LITTLE bit of preserved communication.

I don't subscribe to the hip "everything changes all the time, nothing ever stays" society trend at all. Some things I expect not to change, decay etc and occupy my time maintaining. (like doing manual backups because the app can't be trusted to stay around beyond who knows when the fad is over... or if it ever will be?)

Glassed Silver:ios