On Feb 6 and 7, Skype, Instagram, and Facebook all received some updates that will change your experience on the platforms, from more control over one's on-screen environment to enhanced video previews.
The user experience for Skype, Instagram, and Facebook got updated recently, and here's on overview.
Skype: Blurred backgrounds
As of Feb 6, Skype began helping you make video calls without having to clean up your room first thanks to a new background blur feature. To activate this during a video interview, chat with your parents, or online business meeting, all you have to do is tap the video camera icon to access the "blur my background" toggle.
By using artificial intelligence trained in human form detection, you will be the only focal point of the call which is otherwise exactly the same as the Skype calls you already know.
The ability to blur the background is available with the latest version of Skype on most desktops and laptops.
Instagram: IGTV Previews
On Feb 7 Instagram announced that Instagram TV (IGTV) previews will now be a part of everyone's main feed. The previews are one minute in length and tapping on one will direct you to the full video in IGTV which can be up to 10 minutes long. Basically, it's a push from the platform to compete more directly with other streaming and video-sharing platforms like YouTube and Switch.
For many creators, the vertically oriented platform isn't ideal for video sharing. Nevertheless, Instagram is trying to expose the feature to as many users as possible, so don't be surprised when you see some IGTV previews pop up in between your favourite bloggers.
Facebook: Admin tools
Also on Feb 7, at the Facebook Communities Summit in California, the company announced a series of new features designed to help group admins "continue to build [their] communit[ies]". First and foremost, admins now have a new collection of post formatting tools that allow them to increase text size, add bulleted lists, and block-face quotes.
Administrators will also be able to more easily alert members if they violate a rule, sort through their activity logs via a new date range filter, and search through membership requests by name. Additionally, group admins can now respond to Instagram Direct Messages through their corresponding Facebook page's inbox. – AFP Relaxnews
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