Instagram tests out new card-based interface

Looks like Instagram might want to try something new with its interface. WABetaInfo uncovered a new card-based interface for both its iOS and Android apps. Instead of scrolling down to see the posts, you swipe right or left to see the rest of your feed. It works similar to what you do with Stories but this time you see small thumbnails of the posts above the cards. You can see this in action below.

The Profile and Direct tabs have also switched places in this new UI. MSPoweruser points out this could be in response to the more gesture-based user interfaces of the new iPhones and Android Pie or it could also be the social network’s attempt to replicate the Stories experience in your feed. What do you think? Is this something you’d want to see?

New Instagram UI to view posts on your feed: presenting "Cards", for iOS and Android!
In this new UI, the Profile and Direct tabs will be inverted!
The new changes will be available in future. pic.twitter.com/RVDNuuLvTk

— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) December 3, 2018

Instagram helps visually impaired see photos with AI descriptions

Instagram is making its service more accessible to the visually impaired with its latest update. There is a new artificial intelligence system that’ll automatically generate descriptions of the photos. These can be seen through screen readers that the visually impaired users use to browse the Feed, Explore, and Profile sections of the app. The feature makes use of object recognition technology to identify what items are in the image. If you want to describe the image yourself, you can add custom alternative text as well. You can head to Advanced Settings when posting a photo and there should be a new Write Alt Text option there.

Swiss hotel chain offers ‘Instagram sitters’ that can post on your behalf

Want to document your amazing vacation but want to go off the grid at the same time? Sounds impossible, right? Well, for Ibis hotel chain, they are offering a trial “Instagram sitter” service for all of its 17 properties in Zurich and Geneva. Hotel guests can have one of the 16 social influencers take care of their Instagram accounts while they enjoy their vacations. Called “Relax We Post,” the service employs the help of influencers like local radio DJ Sylwina, lifestyle blogger Cristina Gheiceanu, and Germany’s Next Topmodel’s Sara Leutenegger.

To avail of the service, you’ll need to give your login details so that the Instagram sitter can curate your feed while you’re staying at the hotel. The Instagram sitter can post photos, videos, and Instagram Stories for you. If you want, they can even respond to comments made on your account. The sitter can even help you find the most “Instagrammable” spots in the hotel and the city. You can also let them know about specific feed requirements or requests, like not posting photos of meat if you’re a vegetarian.

Source: Lonely Planet

Instagram redesigns profile interface

You might be noticing some changes to your Instagram profile’s interface. If it seems cleaner, less cluttered to you, then the Facebook-owned social network is testing out the new look with you. You might be seeing features being re-arranged at the top of your profile. There could be changes from things like the icons, buttons, and how you navigate between tabs. Instagram says they’re changing things up to make profiles “easier and cleaner to use.” But you don’t have to worry about how photos and videos show up on your grid, the company isn’t touching that. Instagram will be testing these changes in phases and in different combinations so don’t be too surprised if things change around in the coming weeks. Instagram will keep tweaking as the company learns more from the feedback from its users.