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Instagram launches live video for Stories, disappearing photos & videos in direct messages

After a tease earlier this month, Instagram today announced its new live video functionality available within the app’s Stories feature. The app also gets disappearing photos and videos within direct messages including group chats.

In August, we introduced Instagram Stories as a way to share all the moments of your day, not just the ones you want to keep on your profile. We’ve seen stories open up a new side of what people share on Instagram, and now over 100 million people use it every day. With today’s announcement, you’ll soon have two more ways to share freely and in the moment.

You can easily start live streaming by swiping right from your feed to open the camera where you’ll find a new “Start Live Video” button.

Instagram notes in its blog post announcing the new feature that “your friends may get a notification when you go live so they can tune in. While you’re live, you can pin a comment for everyone to see or turn comments off altogether.”

Here’s a look at the feature in a video courtesy of Instagram:

You’ll also notice a new “Live” indicator under the profile photo of those that are currently live streaming video in Stories, and a “Top Live” category will let you check out trending streams.

The new live streaming features are rolling out to all users now over the next few weeks according to the company.

Also new for the app is disappearing photos and videos within direct messages. Like other apps with similar functionality, the camera app within the app’s Direct messaging feature will now allow you to take and send photos and videos that will disappear after the recipient has viewed them. You’ll also be notified if the person replayed or took a screenshot of whatever you sent.

To open your inbox, tap the new paper airplane icon at the top right corner of your feed or swipe left. You’ll see disappearing photos and videos in a bar at the top. Tap the ones with blue rings to see what your friends sent you. In a group, you can see everyone’s responses — and who else has seen them — in a slideshow format. Then when you’re done, just tap their faded profile photo to send a quick response.

You should see the new disappearing photos and videos feature in Instagram rolling out starting today in the latest version of the app. Take a look at the feature in action in the video below:

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Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s weekly Logic Pros series and makes music as one half of Toronto-based Makamachine.