Photo sharing app Instagram just rolled out a massive update bring core features of the app to its mobile website.
Until now, users could only browse, like, follow, search and see notifications on the stripped-down Instagram mobile website. However, Instagram’s latest upgrade allows users to share photos and also use a light version of the Explorer tab.
Speaking to TechCrunch the company confirmed the upgrade. “Instagram.com (accessed from mobile) is a web experience optimised for mobile phones. It’s designed to help people have a fuller experience on Instagram no matter what device or network they are on,” it said.
Photo courtesy: TechCrunch
Instagram, which wants to be the photo app for the whole world, aims to bring more people on its platform and is now targeting areas where networks are slow and data is expensive.
Photo courtesy: TechCruch
The update is focused towards the developing world where users do not have fast enough cellular network to conveniently download Instagram’s app. In addition to this, data cost of downloading the app can also be prohibitive.
The upgraded mobile web version allows users to skip the download wait time, data costs and storage needs while still getting the basic functionality.
The update is not available on Instagram’s desktop website and has been limited to mobile website only. In addition to this the mobile website still lacks some core features that include video uploads, filters, Stories, and Direct Messaging which can only be accessed through the Instagram app.
