Facebook has made a huge push for video content in recent years. Its algorithms started boosting the visibility of videos, making them show up in more feeds, more often. Recently, it took to autoplaying video content, forcing the stuff down users’ digital throats. It then took steps to make that even worse, by making them autoplay with the sound on. Thankfully, that sort of twaddle can be turned off by wading through the service’s settings.
Now Facebook is testing a new feature to automatically download videos it thinks you may potentially watch while your phone is connected to Wi-Fi.
It’s a feature called Instant Video, and it will automatically download a variety of Facebook videos (presumably within your sphere of interest) while you’re connected to Wi-Fi so that they can play while you’re out and about without consuming your mobile data.
It’s a bit like the company’s Instant Articles – where articles and news stories in Facebook feeds that have lightning bolts in the corner will load automatically without exiting the app. It’s all about speed and convenience, then. The feature was first spotted by perpetual tipster and pseudonym Devesh Logendran and shared by The Next Web’s Matt Navarra.
Facebook Instant Videos coming soon? ⚡️
h/t Devesh Logendran pic.twitter.com/rNZYkbeL2r
— Matt Navarra ⭐️ (@MattNavarra) September 11, 2017
It’s definitely forward thinking, even if it may, in part, be a way to serve ads to people. It may be a bit too forward thinking though. I certainly don’t want my phone to suck up my bandwidth on stuff I’m probably not even going to watch. I prefer to choose what to waste my bandwidth on rather than have Facebook decide for me.
I don’t want this. I don’t want an app to download stuff on my behalf, filling my phone with pointless garbage. Maybe I’m in the minority though – what do you think of the idea of Instant videos?
Last Updated: September 12, 2017
Skittle
September 12, 2017 at 09:48
Be like me and delete Facebook, problem solved.
You have no idea how difficult it was actually delete my account fully. I assume they make it has difficult as possible with hopes that you will get over it and keep your Facebook active.
Original Heretic
September 12, 2017 at 10:00
I just stopped accessing it.
Then I forgot the password.
Then the email address it was linked to went kaput.
Then I got a new phone and didn’t ever log into FB.
For all I know, people are still trying to get hold of me via it.
Guild
September 12, 2017 at 10:07
Deleting Facebook. I only keep it for the birthday reminders. Fuck everything else
Ottokie
September 12, 2017 at 10:10
I exported all the birthdays to my google calendar and then deleted my Facebook.
Guild
September 12, 2017 at 11:13
Good plan
Admiral Chief
September 12, 2017 at 10:13
But, but, y u no frend mesa
Guild
September 12, 2017 at 11:13
I do. I think. I’m pretty sure I do
Admiral Chief
September 15, 2017 at 11:32
LIEEEEEEEES
Magoo
September 12, 2017 at 10:08
The way some people’s lives revolve around this social media, it makes sense that they would go this far.
Magoo
September 12, 2017 at 10:11
New and improved CRITICAL HIT website!
– Articles already loaded when you fire up your work station!
– Comments already pre-upvoted by Hammersteyn!
– Automatic entry into all competitions!
Admiral Chief
September 12, 2017 at 10:12
LOLZ @ pre-upvoted
GG sir, you have my lightsaber and force powers
Ottokie
September 12, 2017 at 10:15
http://i.imgur.com/T3i0MqK.jpg
Admiral Chief
September 12, 2017 at 10:16
Scumbaggerberg
Magoo
September 12, 2017 at 10:16
Oh and don’t think we missed that Header of the week entry right there. 😛
Ottokie
September 12, 2017 at 10:19
Anyone need an invite?… anyone!?!… I LOVE FARMING GAMES!
http://www.leawo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/facebook-farm-ville.jpg