Instagram Introduces Windows Phone App

Instagram released a long-awaited app for Windows Phone today, after being pressured to do so by Nokia, which manufactures the device. Users were able to download the app from the Windows Phone Store beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern time.

The release was a big step forward for Microsoft’s mobile effort. While users have long been able to use unofficial apps with the same functionality as Instagram, the ability to use the real thing should prove to be a sales boost for Windows phone, which struggles to compete against iOS and Android.

The app contains the filters that Instagram is famous for, but lacks two key features: tagging and video uploading. The lack of video is puzzling to users, as video-sharing has become very popular on the platform. Another crucial difference from the Android and iOS versions is the way photos are taken. Users are sent to the phone’s camera roll first before being able to snap a picture and apply filters. The company claims the app is in beta and still under development, and it will continue to release new features.

Instagram, which was acquired by Facebook in September 2012, remains the most popular photo-sharing app on the mobile web.

On The Web:
Instagram arrives on Windows Phone, lacks video recording
http://www.theverge.com/2013/11/20/5125270/instagram-windows-phone-download-features-release