14 DAY TRIAL // Instagram has been making quite a lot of improvements to its Android and iOS applications. No later than last week, Instagram added the option to upload non-square photos, as well as portrait and landscape videos.
Today, developers announced many improvements to Instagram Direct, including threaded messages and sending content from users feed as Direct messages.
But first things first. According to Instagram, threaded messages will make it easier to keep in touch with the people you talk to the most, so instead of creating new conversations every time you send a photo or video, your threads are based on the people in them.
Moreover, Instagram developers confirmed they have added the ability to name your own groups, a quick camera feature to respond with a selfie on the go, as well as a “larger-than-life” emoji that can be used in cases where words can't describe what you want to communicate.
The latest update also adds a new arrow next to the like and comment icons under every post. If you tap on it, it will send that post to a friend or group as a message using Instagram Direct.
Instagram Direct messages will only be visible to those who could already see them
The message will appear as part of a conversation, and you can tap on the photo or video to see and like the original post if you want. In addition, Instagram users will be able to send hashtags pages and location pages by tapping the arrow icon placed in the top right-hand corner.
Instagram devs also promise privacy will be maintained the same as now, so photos and video sent using Instagram Direct will only be visible to people who could already see them.
You can now download Instagram for Android for free via Google Play Store. The application should be fully compatible with all devices powered by Android 2.3.3 and up.
For iOS user, the application can be downloaded for free via App Store. It should work smoothly on all devices running iOS 7.0 or later.