Instagram has been constantly trying to beat Snapchat in its features. After picking up stories and sticker features, the company might also add new voice and video call features similar to Snapchat (which were introduced in 2014). However, the video call feature is buried deep down in the Snapchat app, a request has to be sent to another contact for making a video call. Instagram is also planning to implement the same via its direct messages section in the app.
Instagram's APK code, which featured these icons (Photo: TechCrunch)
A recent report from TechCrunch, which has managed to find the buried icons of voice and video call in the Instagram’s APK (Android Application Package) code. These icons were named ‘Call’ and 'Video Call’ that obviously suggests the respective features. So, this suggests that Instagram is planning to introduce video and audio calling within its Direct Messaging feature. According to the report, an Instagram spokesperson declined to comment on this features.
The most popular Instagram app allows users to peek into friends’ and other celebrities lives and also offers sharing stories, photos via Direct Messaging (it combines ephemeral and permanent image sharing and was introduced in April 2017). Adding these voice and audio call will definitely increase the subscriber base of already existing 800 Million subscribers.
Instagram has recently added its new Giphy GIF sharing in stories. Since the buttons have already been added to the app’s APK code, we can expect this feature to get implemented sooner or later this year.
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