Meta has begun testing a premium subscription service for Instagram that offers users additional features beyond the standard free version. According to reports, the premium tier includes the ability to view Instagram Stories anonymously, allowing subscribers to see content without the original poster being notified of their viewing. The subscription also provides enhanced analytics, enabling users to see how many people have rewatched their Stories.

Separately, the GSM Association announced the finalization of the RCS Universal Profile 4.0 standard, which could eventually enable video calling between iPhone and Android users through their default messaging applications. The new standard introduces a feature called Messaging-Initiated Video Calls (MIVC), which allows users to transition from RCS text conversations directly into video calls.

The RCS enhancement addresses a long-standing compatibility gap between Apple's iMessage system and Android's messaging platforms. Currently, video calls between iPhone and Android users typically require third-party applications such as FaceTime, WhatsApp, or Zoom.

The timing of both announcements reflects ongoing efforts by technology companies to expand their messaging and social media offerings. Meta's premium Instagram features represent the company's continued push into subscription-based revenue models, while the RCS update demonstrates industry-wide movement toward improved cross-platform communication standards.

Implementation timelines for both developments remain unclear, with the RCS video calling feature described as a future capability that will require adoption by device manufacturers and carriers before becoming widely available to users.