This week in Tech and Social Media

It's been quite a week in technology and social media, here are the highlights. 1. Apple sent out invitations for it's 9th September event. The new iPhone, possibly to be named iPhone 6, is a guarantee and there may even be a wearable unveiling. However, it's unlikely that a wearable (probably a watch) will go on sale straight away with some sources claiming it won't be this side of Christmas.

2. Amazon purchased the video game streaming site Twitch for $1 Billion (£600 million). This came after talks between Twitch and Google didn't end in a sale and I don't think anybody was quite expecting Amazon to go for the company. It really shows how Amazon are starting to branch out from e-commerce though and is certainly a good buy - Twitch has an amazingly engaged audience with the average viewer watching for 1 hour 45 mins each day.

3. Instagram launched a new app called Hyperlapse. As you'd expect from Instagram it's a really nice and simple app to use and it essentially allows users to take good quality time lapses which are also image stabilised. There's some great examples here: http://www.theverge.com/2014/8/28/6075803/25-of-the-most-amazing-hyperlapse-videos-weve-seen-so-far

Instagram Direct

At a fairly low key event a few days ago Instagram announced a new service - Instagram Direct. This allows users to send photos and videos to individual users rather than posting to the public - essentially Snapchat but without the 'self-destruct' timer. The update is available to download now on Android and iOS.

Instagram Gives a Preview of Ads

In a recent blog post Instagram, the photo sharing social network, gave a few more details on it's controversial yet necessary plans to introduce adverts in to user's feeds. They gave a preview of how the adverts will look in your feed and gave assurances that they will be 'creative and engaging' adverts.

Instagram seem to be treading lightly with introducing these adverts and a big 'Sponsored' graphic shows above each advert so you know what it is. They'll also be allowing people to give feedback on the adverts to help ensure they remain relevant to you.

To give even more assurances Instagram are only allowing adverts from selected partners who already have a good standing in the Instagram community and I imagine all the ads will be vetted by the company before going live.

What do you think of adverts appearing in your Instagram feed. Is it a necessary evil or should they try and get revenue from other sources? Leave your comments below.

Instagram Adds Video

Today's event by Facebook was to introduce a new feature to Instagram - Video. Users will now be able to record 15 seconds of video from with in the Instagram app, in a similar fashion to Vine.

The new feature is slightly more fiddly as you have to press the video icon to then switch to video rather than doing it the snapchat way where you simply hold down the photo button. Each segment that's recorded can be individually deleted and there is a great stabilisation feature.

In true Instagram fashion you can add filters to your finished video to give it a different look. Videos can be viewed on Instagram web too.

During the event Kevin Systrom, the co-founder of Instagram announced that there are now 130 million active users of the photo sharing network with 16 billion photos uploaded in the two and half years since it's launch.

Instagram video is available now on iOS and Android. Simply update the Instagram app.

Instagram Isn't Going To Sell Your Photos

Early on Tuesday Instagram updated it's Terms of Service, nothing unusual really until people noticed a new item that stated:

To help us deliver interesting paid or sponsored content or promotions, you agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you.

This caused uproar with users with many taking to Twitter to vent their anger. Most were insisting they would be deleting their accounts before the 16th January deadline (although lets face it, nobody will actually do this).

But lets take a proper look at this new Term of Service. What does it really mean?

Well a term similar to this has always been in Instagram's Terms of Service, they've always been able to use our content in pretty much any way they want to.

What this new term most certainly does not mean is that Instagram can sell your photos to other companies or people. What is does mean is that companies can use your content in paid advertisements on Instagram and Facebook in exactly the same way they do now on Facebook.

For example, an advert might say "Look at these awesome pictures of our shop, taken by person x" or in the same style as sponsored stories on Facebook an advert might say "Person x follows us, you should too".

In no way will Instagram be selling your content to random people. In no way are your pictures going to be appearing in newspaper adverts or on billboards.

Instagram certainly messed up here, not by having this term of service but by not explaining exactly what it means.

Update: Instagram today released a new blog post where they reiterated the fact that they're not going to be selling your photos. Here's what they said:

it was interpreted by many that we were going to sell your photos to others without any compensation. This is not true and it is our mistake that this language is confusing. To be clear: it is not our intention to sell your photos.

Let’s say a business wanted to promote their account to gain more followers and Instagram was able to feature them in some way. In order to help make a more relevant and useful promotion, it would be helpful to see which of the people you follow also follow this business. In this way, some of the data you produce — like the actions you take (eg, following the account) and your profile photo — might show up if you are following this business.