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Instagram has announced an innovative feature known as Blend, aimed at creating a customized Reels feed that you can share solely with a friend or a group chat. This feature is accessible strictly through invitations and offers a unique, personalized assortment of videos each day. This addition aligns with Instagram's effort to enhance user engagement and distinguish itself from TikTok, especially amid increasing antitrust scrutiny that Meta faces regarding its influence in the social media realm. With Blend, the Meta-owned platform allows users to explore the Reels favored by their friends while fostering a shared environment for discovering new content collaboratively.
To initiate a Blend, first, open a private message or a group chat and hit the new Blend icon located at the screen's top. From there, click on "Invite" to pick individuals from the chat who you'd like to participate. The Blend feature will become active once at least one invited person accepts the invitation. Upon accepting, you'll be able to see a curated selection of Reels chosen to reflect the preferences of everyone in your group. If any member of the group interacts with a reel, such as by reacting to it, Instagram will notify you, facilitating a discussion within your direct messages. You can easily return to your shared feed by going back to the DM and clicking the Blend icon again.
There is also a way to opt out of this feature at any time, even after using it for a period. To leave a Blend on Instagram, start by launching the app and clicking either the paper airplane or messenger icon. Then, select the chat that contains the Blend you wish to exit. Within that chat, tap on the Blend icon found in the upper right corner. After that, access the three-dot menu at the top right of the Blend interface and select "Leave this Blend" from the displayed options. This will take you out of the shared Reels feed associated with that thread.
The timing of this feature's rollout could not be better. While Meta currently grapples with a legal lawsuit, the future of its competitor TikTok remains uncertain for the American audience. The short-video application is operational in the US, yet it faces the potential of being banned at any moment. President Donald Trump is actively negotiating to reach an agreement with the Chinese-owned company. Although April 2 was initially set as the deadline for deciding TikTok's status, Trump has since extended it by an additional 75 days.
A recent report indicates that Instagram is finally working on an application specifically for the iPad. A source familiar with the company has revealed that a tablet-optimized version is in progress. Although iPads are capable of running the iPhone version, the experience on these larger screens is not very satisfactory due to the interface not being well-suited for the expanded display. Currently, details regarding the dedicated iPad application are scarce, and there has been no official announcement.
