Facebook has started testing its preloaded Instant Video feature, which will make it easier for users to watch videos on the go, according to TechCrunch. For now, the new feature is available to a small group of Android users only.
Preloaded Instant Video uses Wi-Fi connection
According to TechCrunch, the pre-loading videos require a Wi-Fi connection to download them. Thus, the user’s mobile data will not be consumed, but users will still have some entertainment on the go.
“When you’re on Wi-Fi, we’ll save some videos for you so you can watch them without using mobile data,” the app’s description says.
Facebook’s preloaded Instant Video feature might serve a great purpose for everyone, especially frequent travelers who want to save their mobile data. However, one of the greatest beneficiaries will be users living in developing nations where the Internet is not easily available in remote areas.
Facebook has also come up with a solution for users who don’t have enough space on their handsets to store these videos and for people who are not interested in watching all the videos shared on the social network. The social networking giant has made sure that those not interested in the feature can switch it off.
Facebook’s Instant Video feature is rather similar to the Instant Articles feature, which allows Facebook’s hosted content format to load faster than publisher’s articles on their own websites. However, since videos generally take more time to load than articles, publishers will probably be more interested in this format, as it will likely give them more views.
For now, the social networking giant has not revealed when the Instant Video feature will be available to all users, including those on iOS.
Videos are very important for Facebook
Videos are a big part of Facebook’s ongoing strategy. In July, the social networking site stated that mobile ad revenue contributed 87% of its roughly $9.2 billion in quarterly ad revenue. To increase its numbers further, the company is in the process of designing and producing content for the Facebook Watch tab, an in-house online streaming service offered to U.S. users starting last week. The company has also kept aside $1 billion for fresh content.
Facebook started as a social networking website, but it has evolved a great deal since then, as people are now using it to share music, work and other content. Further, Facebook has reached a place where it is challenging the leader in the video segment, which is YouTube. It’s not just common users, but celebrities are also taking to Facebook to upload details or news about their upcoming movies and announcements via Facebook video.
Facebook, for its part, is leaving no stone unturned as it promotes its platform, including launching new features. The company is already testing a new feature called Colorful Comments, which enables users to post comments in different fonts and colors. The Menlo Park, California-based company is also testing a Tinder-like feature that allows users to tell others that they want to hang out with them. All these features are in the testing phase as of now and will probably be available to the masses sometime in the future.
