iWorld
Instagram follows TikTok, launches ‘Remix’ on Reels
NEW DELHI: In a bid to overpower short-video platform TikTok, image sharing app Instagram has rolled out a new feature called Remix. The Remix feature allows users to remix reels which means they can upload a video next to another user's, building on top of the original clip.
To launch the Remix feature, users should click on the three dots that show up on the top right corner of the Reel, and choose Remix This Reel option. While using this feature, the screen will split into two parts; one part will carry the original reel, while the second will be your new reel. After recording, users can control the volume for the original audio, your recorded audio, and can even add a voiceover.
A similar feature is already popular in TikTok under the duet, and is being widely used for dance challenges. As TikTok is banned in India, Instagram believes that its new feature will garner huge popularity in the country.
"Remix lets you create your own Reel, along-side an existing reel. Interactive tools like Live Rooms, polls and questions in Stories, and AR effects have always been a huge part of how people connect on Instagram," said Instagram in a recent statement.
Facebook-owned Instagram had launched Reels last year, and since then, several features have been added to it. Some of these new specs include an extension of recording time to 30 seconds, and extending the countdown timer to 10 seconds while recording. It is also possible to trim and delete audio clips from the timeline.
It is to be noted that the Remix option will be enabled only in newly uploaded reels. If you want older reels to be remixed by others, the feature should be enabled manually. If you do not want people remixing your reels, you should go to settings, tap on reels, and disable the option.
iWorld
X launches XChat messaging app on iOS with calls and encryption
Standalone app marks shift from “everything app” vision, adds E2E messaging.
MUMBAI: From one big app to many small chats, X seems to be splitting its ambitions. X has rolled out its standalone messaging app, XChat, to iOS users, opening up a new front in its evolving product strategy. The app allows users to connect with existing X contacts through private and group messages, file sharing, as well as audio and video calls. The launch follows a limited beta phase, where the platform tested the product with a smaller user base to refine the experience. Now available publicly, XChat marks a notable pivot from earlier ambitions championed by Elon Musk to turn X into a single “everything app” combining messaging, payments, commerce and more.
Instead, the company under xAI ownership and backed by SpaceX appears to be building a suite of standalone applications, each targeting specific use cases while expanding its broader ecosystem.
At launch, XChat includes end-to-end encrypted messaging, PIN-based access, disappearing messages, and features such as message editing, deletion for all participants, and screenshot blocking. The company has also said the app is free from advertisements and tracking mechanisms, positioning it as a privacy-first alternative in a crowded messaging space.
However, security claims around the platform are likely to face scrutiny. Earlier iterations of XChat drew criticism from experts who argued it fell short of established encrypted platforms like Signal. With the wider rollout, the app is expected to undergo fresh evaluation to assess whether those concerns have been addressed.
Beyond messaging, XChat will also house X’s Communities feature, which is being discontinued on the main platform due to low usage and spam concerns. Migrating these users could provide an early boost to adoption, effectively turning XChat into both a communication and community hub.
The move underscores a broader recalibration at X less about cramming everything into one app, and more about spreading bets across multiple touchpoints, one message at a time.
