Among a bunch of new tools that Facebook has announced
recently for Messenger and Instagram Direct, there is one that enables group
discussions between the two apps, a set of new group typing indicators, and the
option of polls in Instagram Direct.
The most prominent addition is that of the Cross-App Messaging feature that Facebook had announced last year. With cross-app messaging, users will be able to engage in group chats between their Instagram and Messenger contacts. This is an extended version of the existing option to have individual chats across the two apps, which was launched last September. Facebook also plans to later include WhatsApp within this messaging integration system.
As for the new Polls option in Instagram Direct, users will
be able to use it in cross-app group chats as well. This will help them decide
on different things that come up during conversations, to take everybody’s
opinions on them and reach a consensus.
The new group typing indicators are meant to help users see
when multiple people are typing at the same time. There is also an addition of new
chat themes on both Messenger and Instagram Direct, which include new backgrounds
and AR effects.
Lastly, Facebook is bringing the option of Watch Together to
Instagram, using which people can watch their favorite content directly from their
Instagram feed together with their friends. This will work by starting a video
chat on the app and then scrolling to the post you want to share and clicking
on the share button.
