Instagram has announced the launch of a brand new, long-form video format called Instagram TV (IGTV).

Before IGTV, the only way for people to post longer content on Instagram was to go live, with live content disappearing after 24 hours. CEO Kevin Systrom discussed his desire for Instagram users to be able to “enjoy video without all the distraction,” resulting in the birth of IGTV.

IGTV is available on both its own app and the Instagram page.

Pros:

1. It’s built for how you actually use your phone, so videos are full screen and vertical. After years of flipping your screen for Youtube this takes a little getting used to, but it certainly makes sense from a user experience point of view.

2. It’s simple, too. Just like turning on the TV, IGTV starts playing as soon as you open the app.

3. You don’t have to search to start watching content from people you already follow on Instagram and others you might like based on your interests. Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom said the app was designed to make it easier to find and watch videos. IGTV aims to offer you a TV style experience, where you simply turn on and start watching, as opposed to most video apps that require you to search or browse through a directory.

4. You can swipe up to discover more — switch between “For You,” “Following,” “Popular” and “Continue Watching.” You can also like, comment and send videos to friends in Direct.

5. The dedicated app’s experience goes seamless, since as soon as you enter a video instantly starts playing, similar to how one would turn on a TV.

6. Unlike many Video platforms, IGTV offers a completely ad-free beginning to all videos. No more waiting 5 seconds to skip that ad!

Cons:

1. Whilst videos aren’t limited to one minute, only influencers with over 10K followers can upload videos up to an hour long. Anyone with a smaller fan base will be restricted to under 10 min content uploads. However, as time goes by, IGTV are aiming to suppress all time limitations for everyone.

2. For creators the ad free zone is a definite con. There is currently no method in place to monetize IGTV—through in-video ads, or through payment of content creators, so influencers will still need the steady income from YouTube to maintain their income.

3. IGTV’s never-ending  available stream of content may seem like pure joy, but  getting out of the IGTV scroll hole opens up a whole new level of procrastination!

Download IGTV on Android or iOS devices today to enjoy the newest content platform on the market.

Instagram is testing a new notification feature, alerting users when someone screenshots one of their Insta-stories.

A message warning has already been spotted by some users who posted a story reading, “next time you take a screenshot or screen recording, the person who posted the story will be able to see”.

It’s important to note that Instagram creators won’t get a specific pop up notification; instead, it will show up in their list of story viewers.

source: techcrunch

As this is currently only in the testing stages, it doesn’t apply to all users yet and we are yet to hear a date for the update release.

Download Instagram on the iPhone X, Samsung Galaxy S8, and other Android devices.

Are you worried about oversharing too many instagrams? It’s time to check out the new Instagram feature, Instagram Stories. The new feature will allow you to share multiple photos and videos in a slideshow format called ‘your story’. This new Snapchat-inspired feature, allows you you create photo stories that expire after a day.

Whilst Instagram Stories offers core text and drawing overlays, it does lacks the entertaining geofilters, animated selfie lenses, 3D stickers, speed effects or screenshot alerts of Snapchat.

To create an instagram story simply:

1. Click the plus button  on the top left-hand side of your homescreen or swipe left in your Feed.
2. Tap the circle button at the bottom of the screen to take photos / hold to record a video.
3. Edit the photos or videos with text or add a drawing as you normally would.
4. Click Done to save your story.
5. Click the checkmark button to share to your story.

To view someone’s story, just tap on their profile photo. What’s interesting is that unlike regular posts, you can’t like or leave a public comment. If you feel the need to comment on something, you do have the opportunity to send a private message to that person on Instagram Direct.

Instagram Stories will be rolling out globally over the next few weeks on iOS and Android. Download Instagram today on the latest Android handsets, the Samsung Galaxy S7, BlackBerry Dtek50 and Samsung Galaxy Note 7 or for iOS on the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6S plus.