Instagram has reportedly introduced a Lite version of its application. The App is now available on Google Play Store and it is currently being tested in Mexico.
The app description on the Play Store says, “The Instagram Lite app is small, allowing you to save space on your phone and download it quickly.” TechCrunch reports that the app is just 573KB in size, which is way much lighter as compared to the 32MB size of the original app. The report highlights that with the new Lite version, users can post photos, watch Stories and browse the Explore page.
However, the app currently lacks the option to share videos or Direct message. Instagram has confirmed that it is testing the new app in Mexico and said, “We are testing a new version of Instagram for Android that takes up less space on your device, uses less data, and starts faster.”
The app is in line for the emerging markets, where users are still using old smartphones with patch internet connection or they cannot afford high data package rate. Facebook has actively worked on providing a Lite version to its app. The brand has already rolled out Facebook Lite and Messenger Lite applications for the emerging market.
Meanwhile, Instagram is getting a new update that adds new video chat capabilities as well as new channels in Explore tab and AR camera effects for the Stories section.
The main highlight of the update is the ability to initiate a Video call with either one or a maximum of four people in a group through the Instagram Direct tab. Once the call has started, you’ll be able to minimise the chat screen and multitask on Instagram with options to browse through your feed, send messages and photos in Direct and even post a story at the same time. When inside a group thread, the camera icon will show as blue if members of the group are engaged in a video chat.