Instagram introduces new portrait mode & mention sticker in Stories
Instagram is introducing a new portrait mode to its popular Stories feature. The Facebook-owned social network has been consistently updating Instagram Stories with new features ever since it launched back in August 2016, most recently by re-introducing GIF stickers. Now, however, as part of a completely new update, Instagram has announced the launch of a new camera mode, dubbed "Focus."
Following in the recent bokeh trend, Focus mode allows users to blur out the background of their images, although it is currently limited to select devices. This works via artificial intelligence that will be working at all times in order to detect faces in the shot. The new feature will not just be reserved to the rear camera, though, with users also being given the opting of applying the blurred-focus effect to selfies. In addition, videos will also support the feature and, once captured, both photos and videos can then have filters and stickers applied, as with any other content. Moving away from the new camera mode, Stories' users will now also have access to a new user mention sticker. Until now, in order to tag a friend, those who use Instagram would have to mention their username in plain text. Now, however, with the new sticker, users of the service will be able to tag others in a much more visible way, with the sticker itself adopting a new rainbow color effect.
Both the new portrait camera mode and the new mention sticker will be rolling out today as part of Instagram version 39 and will be available to download via both the App Store and Google Play. In terms of which devices support it, Instagram has said that all iPhones launched after the iPhone 6S line in 2015 will be compatible with the feature, whilst a number of Android devices will also support it, but no specifics have been mentioned as of yet.
Following in the recent bokeh trend, Focus mode allows users to blur out the background of their images, although it is currently limited to select devices. This works via artificial intelligence that will be working at all times in order to detect faces in the shot. The new feature will not just be reserved to the rear camera, though, with users also being given the opting of applying the blurred-focus effect to selfies. In addition, videos will also support the feature and, once captured, both photos and videos can then have filters and stickers applied, as with any other content. Moving away from the new camera mode, Stories' users will now also have access to a new user mention sticker. Until now, in order to tag a friend, those who use Instagram would have to mention their username in plain text. Now, however, with the new sticker, users of the service will be able to tag others in a much more visible way, with the sticker itself adopting a new rainbow color effect.
Both the new portrait camera mode and the new mention sticker will be rolling out today as part of Instagram version 39 and will be available to download via both the App Store and Google Play. In terms of which devices support it, Instagram has said that all iPhones launched after the iPhone 6S line in 2015 will be compatible with the feature, whilst a number of Android devices will also support it, but no specifics have been mentioned as of yet.
source: Instagram
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