Facebook and Twitter have been at war as competing social networks for a number of years. But the latest battleground between the two is mobile video, with Video on Instagram (owned by Facebook) arriving as a direct response to Vine (owned by Twitter).
Vine Vs. Instagram Video
Vine was launched at the beginning of 2013 for iOS devices, with an Android version added later. It offers users the chance to record and share short video clips with consummate ease.
This week has seen Facebook launch Video on Instagram, adding moving pictures to the photo-sharing app snapped up by the social networking site in 2012 for a cool $1 billion. And so we have two almost-identical services competing for users.
Which Is Better?
and Instagram Video share much in common. But Instagram has some obvious advantages over its competitor, even beyond its sizable userbase.
Instagram Video clips can be up to 15-seconds-long, compared to Vine’s 6-seconds. The famous photo filters have made it across to video, and Instagram also allows you to delete your last clip. You can also share your videos to more places using Instagram.
There’s also a nifty Cinema feature that is actually a post-production stabilization tool. Unfortunately this is only available on iPhone 4S and iPhone 5, but it’s another advantage Instagram has over Vine.
Battlelines Drawn
Some are suggesting Vine is as good as dead in the wake of Video on Instagram, but I suspect otherwise. Just because Instagram now has video functionality doesn’t mean Vine users are suddenly going to switch over in droves.
What’s more, It’s short-sighted to imagine Twitter will just allow Vine to die without a fight. So expect an update within weeks, perhaps with added features and an extension to the 6-seconds recording length restriction.
Conclusions
Mobile video is clearly big business, and an important tool in driving people to the aforementioned social networks. Will just one of these two services win out, or is there room for both to succeed?
