Instagram Opens the Window to Windows Phone Users

In October 2011, Instagram changed the world, for iPhone users that is. Initially the app was released on the iOS platform only for several reasons. Technically speaking, the camera on the iPhone was superior to that of other mobile devices. Additionally, the iPhone demographic worked well with the original target audience of Instagram. With a population of 30 million, the app was clearly not going anywhere soon.

Instagram created a culture of mobile photographers and mobile device manufacturers recognized how important it was to improve the camera on their devices. New phones started to come out with some pretty incredible cameras. So, in March 2012, Instagram decided to shake things up and bring the app to the Android market. This caused quite the uproar with the iPhone users due to the exclusivity of the app, but the Android users were quickly accepted.

Now, with over 150 million users worldwide, Instagram adds yet another platform to its offering; Windows Phones. This is most likely to the incredible cameras that Windows brought to the market, namely the Nokia Lumia 920 and the more recent Lumia 1020. The Lumia 1020 has a 41 megapixel camera on it. With that technology available, it was no question that Instagram had to bring its popular app to this platform.

The app, currently called Instagram Beta, is a work in progress. The Windows platform is totally different than any other operating system out there. There had to be major design modifications made to the app in order to make the experience seamless for Windows Phone users. But for those of us who have used Instagram for years, the experience is pretty much the same. But there are some major differences. Below are side-by-side comparisons of the different platforms. (L to R – iOS 7, Android, Windows

It’s obvious that Instagram was a major catalyst in technological advances for mobile photography. And as the technology gets better and better, I’m sure that Instagram will continue to keep up and bring us new and exciting updates. But, Instagram and all of this technology counts on creative individuals who believe in the platform and have fun. So regardless of the advances, keep posting good content, engage with others keep pushing the limits and continue creating demand for something new and exciting.