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Instagram tests Reels pause feature as TikTok remains in limbo
- Elfener 2y agoI have an userscript installed that turns the instagram video player into a regular html one, so in case I end up clicking an instagram link, I don't go insane while trying to watch something.
- scotty79 2y agoSame. Mine also Auto-Pauses video at the start.
- Traubenfuchs 2y agoI have that for youtube shorts. Seeing them turned into regular videos shows how ridiculously stupid their format and user experience is.
- TheChaplain 2y agoI've almost stopped using Instagram, these days I get ads that block scrolling on pictures or stories, it's simply not enjoyable anymore.
- TheCapeGreek 2y agoAm I missing something or hallucinating? Pretty sure I've always been able to pause reels on desktop and mobile. Instagram Lite lacked this functionality. Lack of a progress bar you can skip through is what's been missing compared to TikTok. Or was this just not a thing for US users specifically?
- RamblingCTO 2y agoI also had this some time ago and then it was gone. Maybe just A/B testing?
- dixie_land 2y agoYup, noticed I had it come n go over last year
- SpaghettiCthulu 2y agoI've only been able to pause by tapping and holding on the screen. And that only pauses while you keep holding. Also, for me, most reels have a progress bar you can drag around at the bottom, but there are some that just don't for whatever reason.
- bsnnkv 2y agoTrying to use Reels after experiencing the (superior) UX of TikTok was hard enough, but trying to use Reels after experiencing the UX of XHS is pretty much impossible for me.
- EverForever 2y agoCan someone explain to me why Meta or whoever doesn't just copy TikTok 1to1 with a new name? If TikTok really stops running in the usa, they would have an alternative product instead of Instagram reels and YouTube shorts, both of which obviously can't catch on.
- moshun 2y agoMeta has basically copied TikTok as an 1:1 app at least twice, the most recent being Lasso. The problem most of these many companies trying to emulate TikTok’s success is that the UI/UX and content delivery aren’t the secret sauce. It’s a near bulletproof algorithm that needs comparatively little time to lock in your preferences. Add in the fact that TikTok really doesn’t encourage or reward following creators, it makes for a natural conflict with some of Meta’s base models for operation that they have trouble addressing. That’s why some suggest that the recent regulatory assaults, cozying up to would be dictators and forced changing of ownership to American corporations is just manufactured corporate raiding by competitors that can’t keep up.
- grajaganDev 2y agoLetting users pause a Reels video. Hard to believe this wasn't case all along. This is user hostile: "Previously, users have only been able to pause videos on Instagram Reels by tapping and holding on their screen."
- TheAceOfHearts 2y agoIn TikTok holding the screen causes it to play at 2x, they should probably reuse the same gesture to make user adoption smoother. But still... A feature announcement for a fucking pause button is deranged.
- niek_pas 2y agoWith enough 200k/year engineers, perhaps one day Instagram will build a video player _almost_ as good as Youtube was in 2006.
- unsnap_biceps 2y agoNah, being unable to pause just means they get way more minutes of viewing when people put down their phone to do something. It just sits there and plays, earning that sweet sweet ad money.
- Elfener 2y agoI've always found this weird - when I put my phone down I hit the power button to turn the screen off/lock it.
- joseda-hg 2y agoThis might not always stop playback, for example with YT Premium, I think it also applies to shorts, maybe only when in PiP mode? I can't recall, but I'm pretty sure, I've encountered it, somewhat inconsistently