Instagram testing co-watching feature on app
Instagram's co-watching media picker is essentially tabs of Explore, Saved and Liked.
Facebook-owned photo-messaging app Instagram is testing a new feature that would let users co-watch on-platform video content with friends, while being able to see their reactions on the video via the phone cameras. The option would start with a split-screen view, where users would be able to apply face filters and other visual tools to their personal camera feeds, Social Media Today reported on Thursday.
"Instagram's co-watching media picker is essentially tabs of Explore, Saved and Liked. It's somehow also showing me photos though. Unless Instagram designed co-watching so we can stare at an image together, it will be fixed when released," reverse engineer Jane Manchun Wong tweeted.
Watch This Zee Business Video
The feature would let users watch Instagram videos together with added interactive elements of being able to see and hear their co-viewer in a minimised window.
At present, the option appears to only support two concurrent viewers, alongside the Instagram Live functionality.
"That could be somewhat restrictive, but then again, previous research has shown that 85 per cent of the messages shared on Instagram are distributed to the same three friends, highlighting a desire for more intimate communication on the platform," report added.
The photo-messaging app`s test feature is similar to Facebook`s previously launched "Watch Party" feature -- that lets users watch public videos in real time with a group of friends on the app.
Watch Zee Business TV Live Streaming Here
Since launching Watch Parties in groups last July, Facebook says that it has facilitated more than 12 million "Watch Parties" within Groups alone, while "Watch Parties" also garner 8 times more comments than regular videos in Groups, the report noted.
Instagram has not commented on testing or availability of the feature as yet.
Get Latest Business News, Stock Market Updates and Videos; Check your tax outgo through Income Tax Calculator and save money through our Personal Finance coverage. Check Business Breaking News Live on Zee Business Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Unleashing the Power of Compounding: How your Rs 8,333 monthly SIP can grow to Rs 1.59 cr, Rs 2.95 cr, and Rs 5.43 cr; know here
Retirement Planning Through SIP+SWP Investment Strategy: Rs 16,000 monthly SIP for 25 years, then Rs 1,81,000 monthly income for 30 years
Top 7 Index Mutual Funds With Best SIP Returns in 5 Years: Rs 15,000 monthly SIP investment in No. 1 fund has jumped to Rs 19.07 lakh; what about others?
02:19 PM IST