According to reports, Instagram, the well-known photo and video-sharing app from Meta, is developing a new feature that will give users early access to test features. Instagram's beta features, which are still undergoing testing, are exclusively accessible to testers who sign up for the Android Beta program. But soon, users might have another way to test out in-development features: the much-discussed "early access" option. 

It appears from the leaked material that Instagram intends to launch an early access function. 

Developer Alessandro Paluzzi, an Italian mobile developer, posted a screenshot of this functionality on Threads, suggesting that it may be accessed via the Settings and Activity page.

The final option on the list is "early access to features." This would be a big move for Instagram if it were to happen, allowing users to test out new features before they are formally released.

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This strategy is comparable to what we've seen with YouTube Experiments and Google Search Labs, where consumers can choose to test experimental features. Instagram hopes to interact with its user base and get insightful feedback by giving early access to these functionalities.

Paluzzi also revealed that the social media platform is working to further integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its app, potentially allowing users to generate chat themes with AI.

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Image Source: App Store - Apple

Currently, Instagram lets users customize chat themes with gradients, colors, and special themes. A screenshot shared by the leaker shows a new "Create with AI" option alongside existing themes like Pickleball, Snack Party, and Minecraft.

A similar feature is reportedly in development for WhatsApp, which might allow users to choose from five preset themes: blue, green (default), grey, red, and purple. According to the report, this feature might be accessible via a new theme picker, with each theme altering the chat's background color and wallpaper.

Cross-posting from Instagram to Meta's microblogging platform Threads is another future functionality. X (previously Twitter) has direct competition in the form of Threads. Users' entire social media experience might be improved by this feature, which allows them to transfer content between the two networks easily.

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