Instagram has introduced a redesigned logo, a change reported by technology publication MyBroadband on Friday, 14 August 2026. The same report also highlighted a separate milestone: the world’s largest electric aircraft has completed a flight powered by electricity from a battery system linked to the R80.
According to MyBroadband, the new Instagram logo marks a visual shift for the social media platform, which is owned by Meta. The outlet did not provide details on the design elements or the reasoning behind the update in the available summary.
The electric plane story is notable for its scale. MyBroadband reports that the aircraft is the largest of its kind to fly, and that its propulsion drew on electricity associated with the R80 — a reference that appears to point to a specific battery or power system, though the summary does not elaborate on its technical specifications.
The two items were bundled in a single news roundup from MyBroadband, which often covers technology developments relevant to South African readers. The R80 reference may indicate a local connection, as the outlet frequently reports on energy and infrastructure topics tied to the region.
Ars Technica, another publication, offered a critical take on the Instagram logo in a separate piece, describing it as an example of “AI slop” — a term used to criticize content that appears generated or lacking in originality. That commentary was not part of MyBroadband’s report but adds context to the public reception of the redesign.
What to watch next: whether Instagram clarifies the design rationale, and whether further test flights of the electric plane reveal more about the R80 power system’s capabilities.
