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Instagram updated with iOS 7 style UI, larger and higher resolution photos

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 25, 2013

Joining the growing trend of revamping App Store software for iOS 7 look and feel, Facebook-owned Instagram just rushed out a new version of its iPhone and iPod touch app. It's bringing with it flattened, minimalistic design focused on edge-to-edge images and videos. On the downside, this Instagram release skimps on headline new frameworks (that's why it feels rushed out) which Apple created to help developers tap new iOS 7 technologies.

Nonetheless, it's a nice little update and fans should be happy that Instagram no longer looks out of place and behaves like a good citizen on iOS 7...

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Faster Facebook Messenger with improved scrolling now available

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 16, 2013

It's been over a month since we've stumbled upon any solid piece of news concerning Facebook's standalone Messenger iPhone app. Last time we heard, Facebook has added the ability to pick photos from your Instagram albums to send to Messenger friends.

Actually, that was the only major development concerning the software since May 2012. In response to Wednesday's launch of iOS 7, the social networking giant on Monday pushed an iOS 7-ready version of Messenger with improved scrolling, faster startup times and more...

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Facebook testing silent, auto-playing videos in mobile News Feed

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Facebook announced yesterday afternoon that it has started testing an easier way to watch videos on its website. The new feature will be rolling out as a limited test in the coming weeks through its mobile apps, and continue to roll out over time.

Once the new feature hits you, you'll notice that when you see a video popup in News Feed it'll start playing automatically. It'll be silent at first, and you can choose to turn on the sound, watch it in full screen or scroll past it. It sounds a lot like Vine...

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Instagram hits 150 million users as it prepares to introduce advertising

Cody Lee ∙ Updated March 14, 2018

When Facebook first announced that it was purchasing Instagram last year, a lot of folks were afraid it would ruin the popular photo-sharing network. They feared Zuckerberg's group would come in, add a bunch of ads, and mess up the whole experience.

But here we are, nearly 18 months later, and nothing of the sort has happened yet. Instagram is thriving—in fact, it just announced that it has surpassed 150 million users—and there's not a single ad in sight. But that doesn't mean that they aren't coming...

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‘Cate’ combines Gmail, Twitter and other services into one unified messaging app

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

I hate email. Even with innovative apps like Mailbox, I'd rather iMessage or talk with someone on Twitter than email back and forth with them. There's subject lines, headers, signatures, and loads of other useless text—it's just all way too complicated.

I would be willing to reconsider my predisposition, though, if an application like this one ever makes it to market. It's called 'Cate,' and in addition to being gorgeous, it promises to make communication easier with direct Gmail messaging and more...

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Facebook unveils Shared Photo albums

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 26, 2013

Don't you just hate that Facebook won't let you create a shared album where everyone invited could upload their event photographs? Well now you can as the social networking giant this morning announced a self-explanatory new capability dubbed Shared Photo albums. Facebook's Bob Baldwin took a rather uncharacteristical step of formally launching the new feature in an interview with Mashable, here's what you need to know...

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Instagram buys Luma for its advanced video filters and stabilization tech

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

In another indication it's taking smartphone photography and videography seriously, Facebook-owned Instagram today bought a small Silicon Valley startup Luma, formerly known as Midnox.

The transaction represents Instagram's first acquisition since joining Facebook's fold in April 2012. The startup is behind Luma Camera, an iOS app designed to make it easy to record and share high-quality video.

This isn't your typical acqui-hire: Instagram is both after Luma's talented engineers and its advanced technology which makes possible real-time cinematic processing such as filters, effects and video stabilization. As you could imagine, the promising app got immediately pulled fom the App Store following the deal...

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Facebook changes third-party app login rules to stop unwanted posts

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Facebook has rolled out some nice little changes to the way third-party apps request permissions from users when. The move, it says, is part of an effort to get users to post more to its social network from other apps.

The changes will require third-party applications that connect with Facebook to request separate permissions to 'read' information from your FB account, and to write, or publish any app activity on your Timeline...

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Facebook updates Pages Manager with a bevy of new features

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 21, 2013

Facebook's Pages Manager mobile app has seen little action since May's 2.0 update which has brought it in line with popular features seen elsewhere, such as stickers and the omnipresent photo filters.

But don't worry, the software isn't going anywhere nor has the social networking giant forgotten about it. Matter of fact, Facebook's mobile team has just pushed an incremental 2.1 update to Pages Manager containing half a dozen tweaks and new capabilities.

For starters, you can now use the app to edit the cover photo of your Facebook Page, which previously required visiting the web interface. Additionally, the new Pages Manager now allows for the creation of a new Page in-app as well as events that are hosted by your Page (this is an iPhone-only feature).

Additional goodies are right after the break...

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Facebook is now rolling out embeddable public posts to everyone

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Following in the footsteps of Twitter’s Vine and its own Instagram - both of which have recently started supporting embed codes for posts - the social networking giant Facebook in late-July launched the new Embedded Posts feature. These embeddable public posts could be initially seen only on websites of top publications which signed up as launch partners, like CNN, Huffington Post, Bleacher Report, People and Mashable.

After nearly two months of testing, the feature is now ready for prime time as Facebook today started rolling out Embedded Posts to everyone...

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Instagram warns third-party apps to stop using ‘Insta’ and ‘Gram’ in their branding

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Your favorite Instagram-connected app could be changing soon, or worse, it could be shutting down. The photo-sharing network just updated its brand guidelines, stating that it's going to start banning apps that use either the word ‘Insta’ or ‘Gram’ in their names.

In fact, according to a new report, it looks like Instagram has already begun sending emails out to developers of existing apps, requesting that they change these trademark-infringing components 'within a reasonable period’ or risk losing their apps' API access...

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Facebook testing out new mobile payments service

Cody Lee ∙ August 15, 2013

Facebook is testing a new payments product that would allow online shoppers to make purchases using their login info, according to a new report from AllThingsD. The move is reportedly an effort to simplify online checkout processes.

Citing sources, the site describes the service as one that allows shoppers who have provided Facebook with their credit card credentials to make purchases on partnering e-commerce sites without having to enter their billing information...

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