Instagram’s Reels: Everything we know about the TikTok clone

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(Pocket-lint) – The Instagram meta-property has a video-centric feature called Reels, which brings a discoverable short video format to the Instagram mobile app – and it works a lot like TikTok.

How do Instagram Reels work?

When it first launched, Instagram Reels let you record and edit 15-second video clips. You could then add music to your video creation or even use audio from another person’s video. TikTok already offered both of these possibilities and helped popularize their use in short-lived music content.

Reels isn’t a separate app, though – it’s part of the base Instagram app, which means you don’t need to download anything to use it other than the latest version of Instagram. Instagram.

In the years since its initial launch, the Reels feature has evolved a lot and focused much less on short videos. Reels can last up to 90 seconds, while still being accessible for discovery in the Explore tab.

A recent change is that all video content up to fifteen minutes long will be uploaded as reels by default, making it the de facto format for consuming videos on the platform.

Reel Updates

We’re announcing new features that make collaborating, creating, and sharing Reels easier and more fun. These updates include:

–

Reels Video Merger
– Real Models
– Remix improvements
– Dual camera

Check them out and tell me what you think pic.twitter.com/XZUiqmANSX-

Adam Mosseri (@mosseri) July 21, 2022

The Reels and Videos tabs of your Instagram profile are also now consolidated, indicating that Instagram is starting to consider these features as one and the same thing.

You can share your Reels like any other Instagram video or photo, which means they could go to your Story with different privacy levels, in DMs, or on your feed – depending on your preference.

Where are Instagram Reels available?

The Reels feature is now an integral part of the Instagram app, so it’s available anywhere Instagram has access.

What is Remix?

Remix is ​​a video editing feature that lets you save replies to existing public Instagram Reels.

Re-re-re-re-remix

You can now use the Remix feature in Reels to create your own Reel alongside an existing Reel

Whether you’re capturing your reaction, replying to your friends, or bringing your own trending magic, Remix is ​​another way to collaborate on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/eU8x74Q3yf-

Instagram (@instagram) March 31, 2021

By doing this, you place your Reel next to the one it’s linked to, usually as a reaction, response, or your own spin on a viral trend.

The ability to create a Remix from a photo was added recently, which expands the scope of reaction content.

This feature, like most elements of Reels, is a direct response to the popularity of TikTok. Remix is ​​extremely similar to TikTok’s Duet feature.

What is Dual?

Dual is a feature that lets you record with your phone’s front and back camera simultaneously. This means you can capture something interesting, while filming yourself as you react to the situation.

The result is akin to the format popularized by video game streamers, who have their webcam in a corner and the game taking up the majority of the screen,

What are templates?

If you’re out of inspiration, or just need a hand putting together your next masterpiece, the templates aim to make it easy for you.

Templates come preloaded with audio and video locations, which you can replace with your own videos and audio choices.

To access the templates, all you have to do is tap on the camera icon in the Reels tab.

Written by Maggie Tillman. Edited by Luke Baker.