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Instagram launches official iPad app, now available on App Store

The day has finally arrived: Instagram for iPad is here. Though it seemed like it might never happen, the popular social media app now offers an official iPadOS version. Here are the details. Instagram for iPad rolling out to all users now Instagram’s iPad app is now rolling out to all users on the App Store. As you might expect, it includes access to your feed, stories, and most of the features you would expect. But Instagram has built its iPad app with a special emphasis on Reels. From th

Instagram finally has an iPad app 15 years after it first launched

The social media platform Instagram is finally available on the iPad as a native app. It only took 15 years, as the app first launched all the way back in 2010. We knew this was coming and, well, now it's here. The iPad is a different platform from a smartphone, so the tablet-based app features redesigned elements. For instance, the app opens directly into a feed of Reels. The iPad app also lets users organize posts and Reels into a chronological list, with recent posts appearing first. This is

After 15 Years, Instagram Finally Releases an iPad App

Fact: the iPad launched 15 years ago in 2010. Steve Jobs famously made himself comfortable in a leather armchair and then proceeded to show everybody how “magical” the iPad was for browsing the web, looking at photos, and—yes—checking Facebook. Also fact: Instagram launched months later that fall, two years before Mark Zuckerberg would cut the app’s founders, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, a fat check for $1 billion. In the decade and a half since establishing itself as the go-to place to share

You may soon be able to watch Instagram Reels in picture-in-picture mode

In a new test, Meta is letting select users keep watching Instagram Reels as a floating window on their devices even after they close the app. Here’s what it looks like. As spotted by Radu Onescu on Threads, Instagram is prompting select users to “Try Picture in Picture” with a pop-up when they swipe through posts made on Reels: The pop-up reads: “Try picture in picture Turn this on to continue watching reels in a floating window on your device after you’ve left Instagram. Manage your picture

Instagram now lets creators link multiple reels in a series

Instagram has begun allowing creators to connect multiple reels in a series, the Meta-owned social network told TechCrunch exclusively. The new capability, which is already available on TikTok, makes it easier for viewers to follow and discover related content. Now if a creator is telling a story in a series of videos and follow-ups, they can link them all together so that viewers don’t have to scroll or search for different parts. For instance, creators often tell followers to “come back for p

Meta’s AI translation tool can dub your Instagram videos

is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. Meta is bringing its AI translation tool to more users on Facebook and Instagram, which automatically dubs your reels into another language. The feature also uses AI to make its dub match up with the sound of your voice and the movement of your mouth. For now,

Show HN: I built an app to block Shorts and Reels

Block Reels & Shorts on Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, YouTube. Set scrolling limits on any app with antiscroll mode. No Ads, No Reels, No Shorts, No Distractions. iOS has some limitations,so it’s not technically possible to block Reels and Shorts the same way as on Android. Although it can't be done the same way, I’m building an iPhone app with a different approach to help cut down on scrolling addiction. Drop your email and I’ll let you know when is launched!

Instagram lets you see your friends' locations now, and vice versa - here's how

Instagram / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET ZDNET's takeaways Instagram is unveiling several new features. Its new Snapchat-style map lets you see where your friends are. There's also a new way to see content your friends are interacting with. Meta has unveiled a number of changes to Instagram, all aimed at helping you better connect with your friends and their favorite content. A new location-sharing map is on the way, along with new ways to find content. A Snapchat-style friend map Maybe t

Instagram Adds New Features, Including Reposts and Maps

Instagram has launched new features aimed at further connecting users with their online contacts, the company announced Wednesday. One involves sharing public feed posts and reels, another shares locations with others on an Instagram map, and a new Friends tab shows what content your contacts have liked or commented on. For reposts, you'll be able to share public reels and feed posts from other users. The original poster will be credited and those reshares will appear in the sharer's profile in

Americans Are Obsessed With Watching Short Video Dramas From China

My partner recently confessed something to me about his screen-time habits: When he’s giggling at his phone, he’s often watching short English-language soap operas that have begun showing up on his social feeds. The plots are basic, the acting is exaggerated, and the performers are stereotypically good-looking, but the constant twists and turns keep him spellbound and wanting more. I knew exactly where these videos were coming from. It’s been four years since I first heard about the exploding p

TikTok's Not Getting Banned, but These Apps Give It a Run for Its Money

The US ban on TikTok has likely been avoided (again). On Tuesday President Trump signaled his intent to add a 90-day extension to prevent the ban from taking effect on June 19. The extra time is meant to give the Chinese-owned app an opportunity to find a US-approved buyer. TikTok was shut down for less than 24 hours in January, in anticipation of a ban upheld by the Supreme Court. Access to TikTok was restored after the app received an extra 75 days to find a US buyer, and in April the deadlin

Meta is making all Facebook videos reels

is a news editor covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme. Meta is making a change to how sharing videos works on Facebook. Right now, you can share videos as a video from the post composer or as a reel, and both have different sharing workflows. In “the coming months,” however, “all videos on Facebook will be shared as reels,” according to a blog post. “Facebook remains a home for all types of video – short, long, and Live,” Meta sa

Facebook videos are all just going to be reels now

Facebook is once again rebranding the "video" section of its app. This time, the tab formerly known as " video ," which was also once called " watch ," will become "reels." The change comes as the company says that all video on the social network will now fall under the umbrella of "reels" regardless of how long the clip is or how it was shot. According to Meta , the change will make things simpler for users and creators sharing video clips on the platform. Previously, users had to decide wheth

Facebook announces that all videos on its platform will soon be shared as reels

Facebook announced on Tuesday that all videos on its platform will soon be shared as reels, regardless of their length or orientation. Up until now, users have been able to share both video posts and reels. The company is also renaming the “Video” tab on its platform to the “Reels” tab. The update won’t change what videos are recommended to you, Facebook says. In the coming months, users won’t have to choose between uploading a video or reel, as it will automatically be shared as a reel. In add

Instagram will soon let you re-arrange your grid

You don't have to make a huge effort planning Instagram posts anymore so that your profile takes on a certain aesthetic or so that your grid reads or looks a certain way. Instagram will soon (and finally) let you re-order the posts already on your grid. Alessandro Paluzzi, who reverse engineered apps and posted upcoming features online, found an "edit grid" option within Instagram way back in 2022. Instagram didn't say when exactly the feature will be available, but when you do get the edit grid