The new Instagram update is the biggest yet, providing a variety of exciting features that will add more fun to the stories of users. Instagram launched a number of tools on Nov. 10, 2016 and has reportedly began testing links within some stories.
Instagram stated in a blog that Boomerang is one of the features in its new update, which will help users transform regular daily moments into more fun and interesting ones. Users can take a Boomerang right inside Instagram by swiping right from their feed to open the stories camera.
There will be a new format picker below the record button that will let users choose Boomerang mode. Users can tap record for the camera to stitch together a burst of photos, creating a mini video that can play forward and backward. Instagram users can use Boomerang to tell and share their story in a very special manner.
Mentions is another feature in the update that lets Instagram users share the people they are with or are thinking of in their story. Mentions generally works the same way as in comments and captions. Instagram users need to type "@" first, for usernames to appear. They can then choose the person they wish to mention.
Tapping on the mention will trigger a pop-up that will bring users to that person's profile. Other Instagram users who are mentioned in a story will receive a notification in Direct. The notification will appear in the message requests if the user is mentioned by someone they do not follow. They can tap the preview to directly see the story while it is live.
The Instagram update also brings new See More links, which can be found at the bottom of some stories. It is a test that allows verified Instagram accounts add links to learn more. Users can tap See More or swipe up to see the link within the app.
Users can get more details about the new updates and features on the Instagram Help Center. The new updates for Instagram Stories are part of version 9.7, which is currently available for iOS in the Apple App Store, Windows 10 in the Windows Store, and Android in Google Play. More updates and details are expected soon.
