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Instagram has become very organized these days. What if you want to forget those “perfect posts” and send raw, unedited, AI-free photos to your friends? That’s the idea behind the new app, Instants, which is currently being tested in select markets.
Instants is Instagram’s bet on authentic engagement, a chance to share unfiltered moments. The application allows you to take photos and videos and share them with friends, without modification, and the content disappears after 24 hours and cannot be modified. You’re only allowed to use the in-app camera, so you can’t upload anything from your phone’s camera roll.
You will be able to share content with mutual followers and close friends. You can choose to share your Instant Moments through Instagram or, if you prefer, just through the Instants app.
For now, the Instants feature is an experiment conducted by Meta, the parent company of Instagram. It’s being released in Spain and Italy, but there’s no timeline yet for when it will arrive in the US.
“We’re exploring multiple versions of Instants to see what people like, and we’ll be listening to our community,” a Meta spokesperson told CNET.
The concept of sharing unfiltered photos that disappear is not new. Similar features have appeared in apps like Snapchat and Be real. It’s unclear how Instants will differ from these apps, but the company plans to continue testing it as a feature and incorporating user feedback.
“We’re giving people multiple ways to use this feature, whether it’s on Instagram, or if they want a specific space dedicated just to instant messaging,” a Meta spokesperson said.
Meta continues to expand Instagram sub-apps. It already has Threads, a Twitter-like microblogging service, and Edits, a video editing app.