We get treated with exciting new additions on our social media platforms from time to time, but the COVID-19 period has proved a busy few months for Facebook, who has launched updated versions of almost all of its individual platforms.

Here’s what’s new in the worlds of Facebook and Instagram— get involved!

MESSENGER ROOMS:

Getting right in the middle of the video calling game, Facebook has added the Rooms feature to its Messenger app to fight away competitors, especially Zoom which is predominantly name checked in memes.

Up to 50 people can be in a Room at once (far surpassing the limit of Google Meet and Zoom), and an account is not required to use the joining link. (So your tech-phobe relative won’t have an excuse!) Start the meeting by clicking the ‘People’ tab in the app and then ‘Create a Room’. Send the link to friends and chat away!

MESSENGER KIDS:

An odd one at first thought, but images of the app supplied by Facebook looks like a great resource for kids to connect with school friends virtually. Parents can have ultimate control over their child’s dashboard or leave it up to the kids to accept or remove friends. There are games and activities for them to play in-app with their friends, both for fun and education.

LIVE WITH:

Facebook have migrated the same design of Instagram Live to Facebook with an identical feature. Now, brands and personalities can use both platforms to engage with followers in a live setting. Facebook’s Live feature has been around for some time, but seems to have earned a timely upgrade. There is a (very technical) way of simultaneously being Live on Facebook and Instagram, however it has yet to be introduced natively.

FB DATING:

Not being able to head out on dates may have become a sad reality for some people, and FB seems to have rushed its Facebook Dating app so users can still connect with potential partners. Similarly to recent Tinder and Bumble updates, Facebook Dating allows messaging and calling (audio and video) exactly like Messenger. It may just be love at first (virtual) sight!

IG LIVE ON IGTV & DESKTOP:

The Live feature that has been dominating COVID-19 content can now be accessed via the desktop, so you can benefit from a bigger screen while following cooking or beauty tutorials, live chats, or exercise classes! Your livestreams can now also be selected to appear in your IGTV section once they’re over so they can be rewatched and re-promoted.

INSTAGRAM STORY SUPPORT STICKERS:

In addition to the Poll, Question, Location, Music and Quiz stickers that we’re used to, Instagram has added some more which are relevant to COVID-19 regulations and trends. The ‘Stay Home’ one has been a great awareness tool to add onto at-home Stories, and the ‘Thank You’ version has been used to show gratitude to our front-line workers. There are now stickers for ‘Food Orders’ and ‘Challenge’. Users or business account holders can link their online ordering websites to Stories to promote local food delivery options— a very valuable tool for small or new businesses during this time. Challenge is a fun addition to begin nomination-style games with friends and followers.

WHATSAPP VIDEO CALLING:

An update to the existing software has arrived, now with the ability to have eight people on a video chat at one time. Facebook are once again attempting to monopolise the video calling game to shut up competitors like Zoom, Skype and Google.

Info sourced here.