If you don’t know, now you know
Our digital world is constantly changing to better serve us. Are you keeping up? If you’re having trouble staying on top of the latest news, launches, or revised regulations, stay with me. I promise to make it short and sweet so you can get back to living in the present.
Instagram Evolution – IGTV
Last week, Instagram unveiled their plans to compete head-to-head with YouTube videos. Previously, Insta posts were capped at one-minute video uploads, which resulted in users directing their followers to view any lengthier videos on a competitor’s site, such as Youtube (who has a maximum video time limit of 12 hours). With the motion to put IGTV into place, Instagram is giving their content creators a better platform to share their stories. This strategic move is going to make huge waves, especially for social media influencers, agencies, cinematographers, and freelancers who want to display their work to a vast variety of people, not just YouTube channel subscribers.
Instagram also launched another update to heighten the user experience on their app, this time geared towards digital shoppers. The Facebook-owned company has made online shopping as simple as tapping a button.
The new shopping feature incorporates shopping bag icons into Instastories, making it easier for consumers to buy products. Instead of clicking on the icon and being redirected to the brand’s homepage, consumers will be able to complete their purchase within the Instagram app. As if we needed an easier way to buy things we don’t need, ugh. Stay strong America!
Adobe Rushes to Make History
Video editing can’t be rushed, but it can be made easier so you can get back to “field work” aka the fun stuff. Get ready to create better videos in less time with Adobe Project Rush. This new all-in-one video app makes editing and sharing videos a piece of cake. Once released, the app will let videographers shoot footage on their phone, quickly edit, add filters, optimize videos, and upload to their favorite platforms. The best part about Project Rush is that all content is synced automatically across devices, which gives you the flexibility to work whenever, wherever. Currently, editors can apply for the chance to get this app before anyone else.
Heading Towards Virtual Reality
In Volume 4 of Word on the Street, we discussed the sudden surge of VR and what social platforms are incorporating it. Facebook is leading the charge by creating a 3D-180 video experience compatible with a VR headset for an immersive experience that people gravitate towards. Zuckerberg stands behind his belief of VR being the future of social media and he plans to make VR accessible to everyone. “VR can put people first, it’s about imagining the world as it could be.” – Mark Zuckerberg
Another key Facebook addition to look out for lies in your Messenger. A Facebook spokesperson confirmed we will begin to see autoplay video ads in the messaging app.“We’re in the beginning stages of expanding the availability of video ads to Messenger and we plan to roll this out gradually and thoughtfully. People on Messenger are our top priority and they will remain in control of their experience.” This video experience will be monitored to determine if video ads will impact the way users use the app.
Summer Solstice
Backpacks hidden, pool toys out, and grass-stained clothes must mean one thing. School is out for summer! In honor of it being officially summertime, we wanted to share our favorite kid videos to kick off the season 🙂 A little humor goes a long way in helping us deal with the fact that we no longer get three months of vacation during this time of year 🙂
