Instagram — Meta’s photo and video sharing platform — plans to roll out a way for users to get early access to features, according to a recent leak. Currently, testers can only join the (Android) Beta Program to access the beta features of Instagram that are currently in the testing phase. With rumored “early access,” users may be able to experiment with features in development via an alternative method.
A screenshot shared by developer Alessandro Paluzzi on Threads suggests that the option to join early access could be present in Settings and activity tab. The new “early access to features” is reportedly visible as the last option.
With this new option, Instagram could finally give users early access to its experimental features similar to Google Search Labs and YouTube Experiments.
Instagram topics generated by artificial intelligence
Paluzzi also revealed that the social media platform is working on further incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into its app. It could reportedly allow users to generate topics for conversations with AI.
Currently, Instagram allows users to customize chat themes with options such as transitions and colors, while also introducing custom themes. A screenshot shared by the leaker shows the new one Create with artificial intelligence option alongside other chat themes such as Pickleball, Snack Party and Minecraft.
A similar feature on WhatsApp was also reportedly in development that could allow users to choose from five preset themes – blue, green (default), grey, red and purple. According to the report, it may be available through a new theme picker, and choosing a theme can change the color and background of the chat background.
Upcoming cross-posting feature on Instagram
According to another recent report, Instagram is also working on bringing cross-posting to the platform. It would reportedly allow users to upload content from Instagram to Threads – Meta’s microblogging platform that serves as a direct competitor to Xu (formerly Twitter).
This feature will not be turned on by default and users may need to opt in to use it, the report speculates. It would reportedly work in the same way as the cross-posting feature between Instagram and Facebook.
