Instagram releases iPad-specific application, emphasizing video content over photographs
Instagram, the largest photo-oriented social media platform, has announced the launch of its long-awaited iPad app. Developed by Meta (Instagram, Inc.), the app is now available globally on the App Store.
The new app opens straight into videos, specifically Reels, reflecting how people use larger screen devices. The design of the app, including comments, has been adjusted for the iPad's larger screen, aiming to provide more features with fewer taps while keeping it simple.
One of the key features of the new app is the introduction of the Following tab. This tab has three additional tabs: all, friends, and latest. The all tab shows everything from followed accounts, while the friends tab shows recommended posts from accounts that the user follows back. The latest tab shows a chronological feed from followed users, a feature that was a common request before Instagram added a similar Following tab to the mobile app in 2022.
When watching reels on the app, comments can be expanded while the reel remains at full size, enhancing the viewing experience.
Hillary K. Grigonis, the author of this article, has over a decade of experience writing about cameras and technology. Her work has been published in various tech and photography publications. Grigonis notes that the app was designed to reflect how people use larger screen devices, making it a significant step forward for Instagram on iPad.
Instagram has also promised an Android tablet app, although a release date has not yet been announced. The app requires a device running iPadOS 15.1 or later.
The launch of the Instagram iPad app marks another milestone in the platform's continuous efforts to improve user experience and stay at the forefront of social media innovation.
