A third spin-off mobile application has been created by Instagram, giving users the ability to create photo collages to post on the existing application. The new application, simply named ‘Layout’, will provide Instagram users with a feature that they have wanted for ages.
Previous to this, if users wanted to upload a photo collage from their phones, they would have to use a third-party application. This would save the collage to their phone and then allow them to upload it to Instagram – a popular but tedious option.
‘Layout’ will offer users the ability to scale, montage, rotate and mirror images how they please, then send their creations to their Instagram accounts with a click of a button, rather than having to save and then open the application to upload. While some existing applications allow you to upload collages with one simple click, some users were concerned about the privacy of their account and how their data would be used.
In recently released statements, the company has said that they have been inspired by their user’s visual stories and enjoy providing a space for people to share their life moments and adventures through visual media. The new application is designed to provide users with a place to do this and is currently only available on iOS, with an Android version in development.
In April 2010 the Instagram application was purchased by Facebook for $1bn, the largest acquisition at the time. Since then, it has released two applications; Bolt, a Snapchat competitor that sends instantaneous messages that are instantly deleted and Hyperlapse, an app that creates stabilised time-lapses. Instagram has proven to be a valuable tool for many businesses, and will only increase in popularity as it continues to introduce useful new features such as these.