14 DAY TRIAL // It’s been less than a week since Instagram launched its beta application on Windows Phone platform, a highly anticipated service that fans of Microsoft mobile operating system have been waiting for a long time.
However, it appears that isn’t enough for the company’s dreams of seizing more market share in the messaging market.
According to the latest reports, Instagram has more than 200 million users, but with the launch of the Windows Phone application, that number is likely to grow considerably.
Although it has started as a photo-related application and service, Instagram added the video sharing feature and expanded its market even more.
In order to progress even further, Instagram plans to add private messaging capabilities within its core application and video sharing service.
GigaOm reports that “well-placed sources” have confirmed to them that the company is now working on new private messaging features. Currently, Instagram is said to test the group messaging capability, which, along with other messaging features, will be included in the application.
The cited source claims that these new private messaging features will be available via an update for Instagram, which is expected to arrive by the end of the year.
It’s unclear whether these features will be introduced for all three major mobile platforms (Android, iOS and Windows Phone) at the same time, or they will be added in waves as they’re finished.
Instagram’s move is said to tackle Snapchat’s recent expansion in the messaging market, but that might not be the only reason. The timing chosen by Instagram seems very well thought, as the messaging service is now available on all three major mobile platforms: Android, iOS and Windows Phone.
Still, given the fact this it is just a rumor, we should take it with a grain of salt until Instagram comes forward with an official statement or new information from different sources leaks. Stay tuned for more updates on the matter.