Latest Instagram app update brings pinch to zoom functionality across devices

While some of Instagram's more recent feature updates seem like slavish rip offs of Snapchat, they are adding some useful functionality that allows users to better work within the rather limited platform of square photos and videos. The latest update to the popular photo and video sharing app, version 9.2 now allows you to zoom into photos via the popular pinch to zoom gesture. It's a better way to zoom into details and minutiae. The update also offers a better low-light mode for Stories.

Instagram copies Snapchat’s Stories, names it the same thing

In the world of social media, the me-too mentality thrives. Facebook was a complete copy of Friendster and now Instagram (which is also owned by Facebook) is taking a play from its mother company and outright copying the competition. Instagram is introducing a new feature called Stories. And yes, it shares the same name as the Snapchat feature it’s gotten its inspiration from.

For those unfamiliar with how Snapchat works, the users can upload photos and videos that stay up on the service for 24 hours for your followers to see. Basically, it shows your adventure or “story,” if you will. What Instagram is doing is almost exactly the same thing. You can share photos and video clips that are up to 10 seconds long and draw or add stickers to these photos and videos, too. And yes, after 24 hours they’re off Instagram as well.

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Instagram to help hinder online harassment with comment filter control

It isn’t news that we have a big problem with online trolls but it’s always good when social networks and sites work towards trying to curb the harassment people experience online. Instagram is working to allow users to ban certain phrases or emojis from appearing on your feed or you could even turn off your comments section altogether. While Instagram already has some filters in place, this will give you a better handle on the experience you get on the site. It’s supposedly rolled out to some high-profile users already but they are said to be working to bring it to more users.

“Our goal is to make Instagram a friendly, fun and, most importantly, safe place for self-expression," Nicky Jackson Colaco, Instagram public policy chief, told The Washington Post in a statement. "We have slowly begun to offer accounts with high volume comment threads the option to moderate their comment experience. As we learn, we look forward to improving the comment experience for our broader community.”

Source: Refinery29

Facebook for iOS finally lets you switch between accounts

Managing multiple Facebook accounts is now easier for iOS users, too. Facebook has enabled account switching within Facebook’s family of apps (FB, Messenger, and Instagram, to be specific). So, if you manage multiple accounts, such as those for your business, you can just add the extra account you handle. You’ll be able to see the option under Profile > Switch Account > plus sign to add the new account.

Source: The Next Web