Instagram Launches Reels-First App for TVs, Forget Your Mobile, Enjoy Videos on the Big Screen
Instagram has launched a Reels-first app for TVs, allowing users to watch their favorite short videos on a larger screen. What is this new TV app, and how does it work? Let's find out...
Instagram has taken a new and interesting step for its users. Meta's social media app has now launched a dedicated Reels-first app for TVs. This means that users will no longer be limited to the small screen of their mobile phones, but will be able to watch Instagram Reels directly on their large TV screens. The company says this decision was made after user feedback, where people indicated that watching Reels together is more enjoyable. Discussions about Instagram's TV app have been ongoing for the past few months, and it has now been officially released for testing.
Read more: Stop watching Reels on your phone, Instagram's TV app will be launching soon!
How will the content appear on the Instagram for TV app, and what are its special features?
The Instagram for TV app works slightly differently from the mobile app. After logging in, users will see Reels in different channels, based on their preferences and interests. These include categories like new music, sports highlights, travel videos, and trending moments. Instagram claims that this will make it easier for users to find content they like and discover new trends quickly. On the app's home screen, video thumbnails will appear horizontally, and clicking on them will open the full vertical Reel.
How different will the experience of watching Reels on TV be compared to mobile?
The TV app attempts to provide a similar experience to the mobile app. When a Reel is playing, its caption and information such as likes and views are displayed on the side. Users can swipe up to watch the next Reel, making it easy to use. Another special feature is that up to 5 accounts can be added to the Instagram for TV app. This means that every member of the household will get personalized content based on their preferences. Users can even create a separate Instagram account specifically for their TV. When and on which devices will the Instagram for TV app be available?
Currently, the Instagram for TV app is in the testing phase and is available as a pilot project on Amazon Fire TV devices in the United States. The company has stated that based on feedback from initial users, it will be launched in more countries and on more devices. Instagram is also working on bringing new features to the TV app in the future, such as using a mobile phone as a TV remote or viewing shared Reels feeds with friends.
