Those who have logged onto their Instagram account on Thursday have probably noticed an update called Instagram Direct, which allows users of the popular photo and video sharing service to sent direct and instant messages to other users of the application. This technology feature is available on almost every social app to date, so what makes Instagram so special?
According to CNET, nothing. Although founder Kevin Systrom touted the feature as the future of the app, which is a unit of Facebook, saying that it takes Instagram into a realm that makes it more than just a photo service but rather a core way to communicate with friends, making Direct a natural extension. However, many critics are saying that this is simply the app's way of playing catch-up with the slew of other services that already have this function. On Tuesday, Twitter pushed a similar app update for iOS and Android devices that includes photos with direct messaging. Twitter had previously opened up its direct messaging capabilities.
The other, more obvious competitor with this functionality is SnapChat, which has built and entire business around communicating through shared photos. Ironically, Instagram's messaging feature allows users to send messages, but not photos. The threaded conversations are essentially trying to make Instagram a broader social network but it will be facing stiff competition from other apps who have been successfully implementing this kind of thing for quite some time.
It's worth noting that a lot of the criticism surrounding Instaam Direct has to do with the fact that the company planned the event with all the same mystery and intrigue of a major announcement like the inclusion of video to the app back in June or the release of a new iPhone. Unfortunately, what it had to unveil did not live up to expectations.
Tell us what you think of Instagram Direct. Do you think you'll find it useful for communicating with people? Comment and share your thoughts with us below.
