Facebook test lets some users view Instagram stories on main app

Source: ec_wife/Twitter

A new test Facebook is running allows some of its users to watch their Instagram stories on the main app. You'll be able to differentiate between Facebook and Instagram stories by the colours around the profile photo. Facebook stories will have blue circles, while Instagram stories will have the pink and orange hue of the app's icon. 

Facebook emphasizes that only your Instagram followers who have linked their Facebook accounts (and who initially can see your stories) will see this new option on Facebook. But they will need to opt into this setting. Facebook is doing a "limited test," with a company spokesperson confirming the feature "respects all existing privacy settings," and that Instagram users who want to keep their stories off of Facebook altogether can do so 

Source: The Verge

New update merges Instagram, Facebook Messenger chats

We've known for a while that Facebook plans to allow cross-messaging among Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp. And now, it looks like the integration between Instagram and Messenger is live, at least for some users. The Verge reports that a notification has shown up on iOS and Android devices for some of their editors, letting them know that "There's a New Way to Message on Instagram." It listed a few features, including a "new colourful look for your chats," swipe-to-reply, emoji reactions, and "chat with friends who use Facebook."

If you activate the feature, the regular DM icon changes to the Facebook Messenger logo. Chats appear more colourful, with the sender's messages shifting between blue and purple as you scroll. At the moment, it doesn't seem possible to message Facebook users from Instagram. But with the feature now available, we expect that to arrive soon.

Twitter will introduce an edit button if you wear masks

Embed from Getty Images 

Is this a display of Twitter's faith in humanity? Or is this the push some people need? The social network shared in a tweet that it'll bring the much-requested edit button into its service under one condition: people wear masks. Face masks or coverings help stop the spread of COVID-19, but some are still refusing to use them. 

Facebook and Instagram are also encouraging users to wear face masks to help stop the spread of the virus alongside a link to learning more information from the US's CDC. Will these reminders be enough? We don't know.

Instagram adds support for Facebook Messenger Rooms, letting you chat with up to 50 people

It looks like Facebook wants to get as many people using Messenger Rooms as possible. While there are still hints that it is coming to WhatsApp, Instagram rolls out the integration officially. Facebook Messenger Rooms allow users to chat with up to photo people on a single video call. What the integration means is you can create Messenger Rooms through Instagram, before it takes you to Facebook Messenger. 

If this feature interests you, then you can access it through the Direct Messages section of Instagram. When you're in the part of the app, select the video camera icon on the top right-hand corner. At the top of the list, you'll see Create a Room option with a description that says, "Send a Link to video chat with anyone, even if they don't have Instagram." And then it'll prompt you to select the blue "Create Room as (your name)" at the bottom of the screen. From there, you can choose the people from Instagram you want to invite and press Send. You can then opt to Join Room. In the same window, you can get a link to the Room to share with the people you want to join your chat.