Instagram for Android is here, and it’s gorgeous. The app functions much like the iOS version (though is admittedly a bit slower) but all most of the main features are here. You can test out filters as they come (and all the favourites are present), use the front or rear camera, and publish/share to your Instagram community, and to Twitter/Facebook. What’s missing is tilt shift and the ability to blur out portions of your photo.
The app is available for Android 2.2 users and above, and I don’t need to tell you this is going to be one of the most popular Android apps ever. We’re glad that the company took its time with it, too, because it is not a straight iPhone port; instead it utilizes many of the important Android design techniques, including, for ICS users, the new menu button.
It’s also fast — Instagram’s “Advanced Camera” (turned on by default in the settings) is really quick on my Galaxy Nexus, and takes great shots with touch-to-focus on the screen. The interface is instantly Instagram yet instantly Android, which is going to please a lot of people. And we hope that the company worked out all the major bugs before release. We’re hearing that users are having trouble selecting photos from the Gallery, and that the app is freezing and forcing users to remove their battery.
Download Instagram for Android in Google Play and let us know how you like it — your stream is going to be significantly busier now, iOS users.
Update: Instagram has issued a Q&A for Instagram which answers some questions. For example, any tilt shift/motion blur features that are not in version 1.0 are going to come soon enough. Apparently there were 430,000 pre-release signups for Instagram for Android. And will they be bringing it to other platforms such as Windows Phone? “We have nothing to announce at this time, but we are always actively considering ways to expand Instagram’s utility to everyone in the world.”
Update #2: Instagram developers are quick today and taking care of some of the app issues. Some users were experiencing the app crashing or their camera not supported, but an update to version 1.0.1 has been pushed though. Instagram notes that it addresses “Bug fixes to address several camera related crashes”… but the HTC One X is still not supported. Hopefully that will change when Rogers releases it. – IH (Via: Android Central)
MobileSyrup may earn a commission from purchases made via our links, which helps fund the journalism we provide free on our website. These links do not influence our editorial content. Support us here.
