Instagram to Gain Revamped Explore Tool, Video Chat and AR Camera Effects - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Instagram to Gain Revamped Explore Tool, Video Chat and AR Camera Effects

by

At today's F8 developer conference, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled some new features that are coming soon to Instagram, which is owned by Facebook.

Instagram's Explore tab will be getting a new look that's more focused on various topics.

videochatinstagram
Facebook also plans to add a new video chat feature to Instagram, allowing two or more people to chat with each other using a FaceTime or Skype-style video chatting interface.

You can use the video chat feature to chat one-on-one with someone or with a group of people, and you can chat while continuing to browse Instagram.

Instagram is also gaining an AR Camera Effects platform, which will allow Instagram photos to be enhanced with augmented reality effects.

It's not quite clear exactly when these new features will be coming to Instagram.

Top Rated Comments

105 months ago
Seems very unnecessary to what Instagram is all about - drawing it even closer to Snapchat. I like Instagram ok but they are making it harder to like with this added on top.
I don’t use either service but I did use Facebook for a few years and I watched it get loaded down and creaky with all of the extraneous data mining clutter that creepy stalker CEO insisted be added to it. It totally destroyed what had been a surprisingly pleasant and positive experience initially.

I see Z-Creep learns nothing from his mistakes.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nwcs Avatar
105 months ago
Seems very unnecessary to what Instagram is all about - drawing it even closer to Snapchat. I like Instagram ok but they are making it harder to like with this added on top.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
105 months ago
I'll counter the thoughts so far. I like what they've done. They've given additional features while still continuing to stick with the main feature. Live video/stories are all implemented in a way they aren't very intrusive to the viewing experience of photos/videos in a feed or profile. Hopefully they don't start mixing stories/live videos in the newsfeed. But for those of us that follow creators, it's really becoming a pretty incredible experience. Live videos showing tutorial, on the scene stuff etc. I guess if you're just a general user following friends that don't fully utilize it, then maybe you don't see the point.

I'd like to see them implement list feeds for groups you want to see. A feed for my close family/friends, a feed for 'inspiration,' a feed for work related content, etc.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Instagram Feature 2

PSA: Instagram Encrypted Messaging Ends on Friday, May 8

Tuesday May 5, 2026 8:24 am PDT by
Instagram will remove end-to-end encryption for direct messages between users from May 8, 2026. When the date comes around, Meta will potentially be able to see the contents of all messages between users on the social media platform. Encrypting messages has been an optional feature in Instagram since 2023, but in March of this year the social media platform quietly updated a help page to say ...
Instagram Feature 1

Warning: Instagram DMs Lose End-to-End Encryption Starting Today

Friday May 8, 2026 12:37 pm PDT by
As of today, end-to-end encryption for Instagram direct messages is no longer available. DMs that you send to people on Instagram will no longer feature full encryption, and your conversations are not protected from Meta. Meta can potentially see what's in messages shared between users on Instagram, and that information can be shared with law enforcement agencies worldwide. End-to-end...
Apple Event Logo

Apple's Next Era Begins September 1

Thursday May 7, 2026 10:36 am PDT by
Apple recently announced that Tim Cook will be stepping down as CEO later this year, after 15 years of leading the company. Effective September 1, Apple's hardware engineering chief John Ternus will become the company's next CEO, while Cook will become executive chairman of Apple's board of directors. In his new role, Apple said Cook will assist with "certain aspects" of the company,...