Launched in August, Instagram’s Snapchat-like feature Stories will soon support live videos that allow users to execute a live streaming that can be viewed by their friends and followers. Lasting up to one hour, the video will disappear once the streaming ends, according to kompas.com.

In order to activate the live video, users should swipe right on their Instagram Stories feed to open the camera, then tap the “start live video” button. Their friends will receive notifications on their Stories bar. During the broadcast, people can comment and like the video, but users have the ability to make the comments visible for their viewers or to hide all of them. There will be “top live” on "explore" to see the most-watched live broadcast videos to view at that moment. 

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Today we’re announcing two updates: live video on Instagram Stories and disappearing photos and videos for groups and friends in Instagram Direct. Live video on Instagram Stories helps you connect with your friends and followers right now. It’s easy to go live — just swipe right from feed to open the camera, tap the “Start Live Video” button and start sharing for up to an hour. Your friends may get a notification when you go live so they can tune in. While you’re live, you can pin a comment for everyone to see or turn comments off altogether. When you’re done, your live story immediately disappears from the app so you can feel more comfortable sharing anything, anytime. When someone you follow starts a live video, you’ll see “Live” under their profile photo in the stories bar. During the broadcast, you can comment and like as much as you want. You can also discover new live videos on Explore. Tap “Top Live” to see exciting live videos happening at that moment. Live video on Instagram Stories and Explore will be rolling out globally over the next few weeks. You can learn more about today’s updates at help.instagram.com.

A video posted by Instagram (@instagram) on Nov 21, 2016 at 10:02am PST

Meanwhile, utilized by 300 million people worldwide since being launched last year, Instagram Direct will allow users to send disappearing photos and videos to groups or individuals. After swiping right, users can tap the arrow symbol to send the image or video privately or to a group. It will disappear once their friends see it, and they will know if their friends try to replay it or screen-shot it.

Users can also view disappearing photos and videos from their friends by tapping an airplane symbol at the upper right side of their Instagram feed. When in a group, they can see who has viewed the content and what their response are. 

These features reportedly will be released to iOS and Android users in the coming weeks. (wir/kes)

 

Today we’re announcing two updates: live video on Instagram Stories and disappearing photos and videos for groups and friends in Instagram Direct. Now you can send disappearing photos and videos directly to groups and individual friends in a spontaneous, pressure-free way. Swipe right into the camera to take a photo or video, then tap the arrow to send it privately. You can choose a group or create one in just a few taps — and you can also send to individual friends at the same time. Send anything you want, from inside jokes to your worst selfies. Unlike other messages in Direct, these photos and videos disappear from your friends’ inboxes after they have seen them. And you’ll see if they replayed it or took a screenshot. To open your inbox, tap the new paper airplane icon at the top right corner of your feed or swipe left. You’ll see disappearing photos and videos in a bar at the top. Tap the ones with blue rings to see what your friends sent you. In a group, you can see everyone’s responses — and who else has seen them — in a slideshow format. Then when you’re done, just tap their faded profile photo to send a quick response. Disappearing photos and videos in Instagram Direct will start rolling out globally today. You can learn more about today’s updates at help.instagram.com.

A video posted by Instagram (@instagram) on Nov 21, 2016 at 10:00am PST

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