【Underwater Love】

Snapchat may have Underwater Lovepioneered the "stories" format, but it's Instagram that's taking it in new and exciting directions.

At Facebook's F8 conference, Instagram announced a new way for users to share content from third-party apps directly to Stories. Same goes for sharing to Facebook Stories. Spotify and GoPro will be the first two partners for this new Stories integration.

Additionally, the app's getting video chat, new augmented-reality camera effects from third parties, and a redesigned Explore tab.

SEE ALSO: All the new rumored Instagram features that might kick Snapchat's ass

What kind of content can Instagram and Facebook Stories junkies expect to share from third-party apps?

For Spotify, it'll be a "sticker of songs, playlists, or albums you're listening to" and for GoPro, you'll be able to share photos and videos taken with your GoPro camera and saved into its respective mobile app.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Instagram says Spotify's Stories integration will roll out to all of its users starting tomorrow. Sharing to Facebook Stories is "coming soon."

Video chat's been a rumored feature for a while and now it's finally coming. The feature will be accessible from within Instagram Direct, the messaging portion of the app.

The coolest part is that you can minimize a video chat and continue to browse Instagram. Video chat will support up to four video feeds, split into quadrants as shown below.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Video chat isn't quite ready for everyone just yet. The company says it's still testing the feature, but it'll "roll out globally soon."

Snapchat users love to boast about having the best face filters and stickers to spice up their Snaps. Not to be left in its dust, Instagram's opening Stories up to third parties so that they can design their own camera effects.

Whether it's an new face filter or augmented reality sticker, things on Insta Stories are going to get lit soon.

Accounts from the likes of Ariana Grande, Baby Ariel, Liza Koshy, Vogue, Buzzfeed, and the NBA have already signed on to create fun effects.

"That means you can try out Kylie Jenner's favorite lip colors in your selfie, add a cloud of hearts and Pomeranians to fluff up your photo, or turn any video into a NBA dunkcam," the company said in a press release.

Finally, there's the redesigned Explore tab. Ask anyone and they'll tell you it's trash, which is why it needed a revamp.

Instagram says the section is still based on your interests, but the "now organized into topic channels so you can browse across your interests and go deeper on any area you'd like."

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The new Instagram Explore tab will start showing up for users in the coming weeks.

---

Featured Video For You

---

---

Topics Facebook Instagram Social Media

• Tech
• Science
• Life
• Digital Culture
• Games
• Entertainment
• Deals
• Social Good

• Bangladesh vs. New Zealand 2025 livestream: Watch ICC Champions Trophy for free
• Literary Vigilantes, and Other News by Sadie Stein
• Literary Halloween
• The Paris Review and WNYC, a Perfect Match by Sadie Stein
• Commissioning Misleading Core i9
• Typewriter, Tip, Tip, Tip by Sadie Stein
• And Now I Know How Joan of Arc Felt by Sadie Stein
• Horror Story by Sadie Stein
• Best smartwatch deal: Save $40 on the Fitbit Versa 4
• Authors in Uniform, and Other News by Sadie Stein

• Scientists built a 'nightmare machine' just to scare you senseless
• A Maori man performed this soul
• #HillaryForPrision is trending, but not for the reason Clinton haters think
• These celebrities didn't hold back with their outstanding Halloween cotumes
• 10 of the hottest Samsung Note7 costumes this Halloween
• Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner obviously did Halloween together
• Ken Bone as Obi
• Obama sang 'Purple Rain' to a trick
• A simple Twitter change has already led to confusion and frustration
• Idris Elba shuts down Madonna dating rumours in 1 very blunt tweet

• Amazon Spring Sale 2025: Best Apple AirPods 4 with ANC deal
• Happy Birthday, Elmore by Sadie Stein
• Rowan Ricardo Phillips Wins 2013 Osterweil Award by Sadie Stein
• Eyes Have It by Sadie Stein
• Q&A with tendercare founder and CEO Shauna Sweeney
• Art House: On “John Ashbery Collects” by Albert Mobilio
• Emily Dickinson Rage, and Other News by Sadie Stein
• Away from Her by Sadie Stein
• SpaceX lands its first rocket on West Coast ground: Watch
• Authors in Uniform, and Other News by Sadie Stein

• How to Remotely Sign Out of Gmail on Multiple Devices
• Happy Birthday, Elmore by Sadie Stein
• Future Tense: An Interview with Kiese Laymon by Whitney Mallett
• History Boys by Sadie Stein
• NYT Connections Sports Edition hints and answers for April 26: Tips to solve Connections #215
• Rowan Ricardo Phillips Wins 2013 Osterweil Award by Sadie Stein
• Literary Cultural Districts, and Other News by Sadie Stein
• On Twaddle by Sadie Stein
• How an Australian VR gaming studio scored a gig with Boeing to train astronauts
• Surprised by Joy by Sadie Stein