Facebook adds videos to Instagram

Users of Facebook's photo-sharing app, Instagram, will now be able to take videos as well as still photographs, the social network has announced. In a press conference, Instagram's chief executive Kevin Systrom said the app would allow them to make clips lasting between three and 15 seconds. Users will also be able to add the distinctive filters that epitomise Instagram photographs. The app will vie with Twitter's Vine, which also lets users share video. The Instagram update will low iPhone and Android users to record and stitch together their clips to form a "collage", which can then have one of 13 customisable filters applied to them. These can make the clips black-and-white, add a blur-effect or otherwise alter the footage. In addition, iPhone users are offered a "cinema" facility, which stabilises the clips to counteract camera shake. Unlike Vine's six-second clip service, Instagram's videos do not loop, and users can choose their thumbnail images. Rivalling YouTube Facebook acquired Instagram last year for more than $700m (£450m). Mr Systrom said the service was currently used by 130 million people a month and that 16 billion photos had been shared on it. Users can apply 13 different filters to their video clips In May, market analysts at comScore said Facebook was now also the second biggest US online video site, beaten only by YouTube. "Mobile and video are going to be key to Facebook going forward," said Ovum analyst Eden Zoller. "Launching video for Instagram is a logical next step. The only surprising thing is that it didn't do it sooner." But, she added, Facebook would be under close scrutiny. "It has had some launches recently, like Facebook Home, that have been done with great fanfare but don't seem to have made a huge impact. Whatever it does with video, it will have to do well." Brian Blau, an analyst at tech consultants Gartner, noted that Instagram was not the first to offer video filters, but predicted the facility would prove popular. "The question will be: Are filters enough?" he added. "I don't necessarily think so. There are other elements to post-production, such as adding titles or improving lighting, that may be more useful." Micro-video services compared Service Platform Clip length Description Vine iOS and Android Six seconds Bought out by Twitter last year, Vine's main selling point is its close integration with the micro-blogging site, as well as an innovative tap-and-hold recording interface. Flickr iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry, mobile web 90 seconds Flickr did short video before it was cool - but having dropped the functionality from its recently revamped mobile apps. It does not seem to be a priority for the Yahoo-owned photography site. Tout iOS and Android 15 seconds Tout offers access to a stream of recently uploaded clips, but its strategy focuses on promoting "channels" - content posted by users working for or otherwise associated with specific brands. Wresting promoter WWE, the Wall Street Journal, the BBC and shoe firm Zappos are all involved. Instagram iOS and Android 15 seconds The photo app soared to popularity thanks to its good-looking filters. Now, and under the ownership of Facebook, Instagram is looking to apply the same filtering ideas to video.

Facebook adds videos to Instagram 2013-06-20T11:57:00-07:00 Rating: 4.5 Diposkan Oleh: Undercover 999