The day that many Windows Phone users have long awaited is finally here: Instagram has arrived in the Windows Phone Store. Yes, the most heavily demanded app has come to Microsoft’s (News - Alert) mobile platform at long last, silencing critics fond of asking “Does it have Instagram, yet?”
In all seriousness, the photo sharing app was a notable absence from the Windows Phone Store as it is not only one of the most popular apps on both iOS and Android (News - Alert), but also one of the most popular social networks going at the moment. This release follows closely after the release of Twitter’s popular Vine video sharing app hit Windows Phone and more or less coincides with the release of Google’s (News - Alert) Waze mobile navigation app.
Altogether, this represents a big step forward for the Windows Phone ecosystem which continues to lag behind the Google Play market and Apple (News - Alert) App Store in terms of sheer app numbers, as well as major app releases.
Regardless, Windows Phone users can now participate in sharing photos with filters on them just like their iPhone (News - Alert) and Android brethren — well, almost just like them. At release, Instagram for Windows Phone, which is technically in beta for now, lacks video support, but otherwise offers the same basic functionality found on other platforms.
Instagram’s migration to Windows Phone has been a long time coming. In fact, it was first suggested Instagram would come to the platform last year alongside the release of Windows Phone 8. Obviously that didn’t happen and after that point, Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom was coy regarding the Windows Phone platform, leading people to believe the app would never come.
But then, last month, Systrom confirmed that Instagram would finally come to Windows Phone in the coming weeks and it seems he was true to his word.
"Our ultimate goal is to bring Instagram to everyone who wants to use it," said Systrom in a statement.
Edited by Cassandra Tucker
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