Users can now send photos and videos to specific people

Dec 12, 2013 17:12 GMT  ·  By

Today, Instagram announced a new feature for its users, namely the option to send photo and video messages directly to friends, and it has already updated its Android client to enable the functionality on mobile devices.

Called Instagram Direct, the option allows users to send their photos and videos to specific people, and complements the previously available sharing features of the application.

The updated flavor of Instagram will also allow users to see photos and videos that others have sent to them, through a new icon placed at the top right corner of the home feed, which will open the inbox.

When a user wants to send a photo or a video to specific people, they’ll simply have to enter the same photo or video capture and editing screens as before.

However, at the top of the share screen they will now see the option to share either with the followers or with specific people (“Direct”).

According to Instagram, the mobile application will also inform users on who has seen the photo or video, and who’s liked it. It will also allow users to watch their recipients commenting in real time as the conversation unfolds.

“Photos and videos that you receive from people you follow will appear immediately. If someone you’re not following sends you a photo or video on Instagram, it will go to your requests so you can decide if you want to view it,” Instagram also explains.

At the moment, Instagram has a community of over 150 million people, and it has grown to more than a simple community of photographers, as it also provides users with a new means of visual communication. Instagram Direct comes to complement that.

“From how you capture photos and videos to the way you start conversations through likes and comments, we built Instagram Direct to feel natural to the Instagram experience you already know,” the company said.

You can download Instagram for Android 5.0.0 from Softpedia today.