The day has finally arrived, folks. Instagram is officially heading to Windows Phone in the “coming weeks”. Announced this morning in Abu Dhabi during Nokia World 2013, the longtime thorn in the heel for Microsoft’s struggling platform has finally been pulled.
Kevin Systrom, CEO and co-founder of Instagram had this to say of the announcement:
"Our ultimate goal is to bring Instagram to everyone who wants to use it…We're looking forward to watching the Windows Phone community use Instagram to capture and share beautiful moments in the coming weeks."
That is undoubtedly a big turnaround in the company who famously gave the cold shoulder to Microsoft, despite the platform’s recent heavy focus on imaging i.e. the Lumia 1020. Granted, Windows Phone users have had quite a few Instagram clients available to them, including the highly rated 6tag from developer Rudy Huyn. But nailing an official title, especially one as important as Instagram, gives the necessary validation to Redmond’s struggling platform.
6tag still appears to best the official app in terms of raw features, but in the end it is all about consumer choice and that companies recognize Windows Phone as a legitimate mobile platform. With an official Instagram app developed by Microsoft coming in the next few weeks, the Windows Phone community can finally move on to their next big challenge. Victory, is here.
Congratulations, to the Windows Phone community.
