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Social media platform Instagram officially releases app for iPad, 15 years since inception

Social media platform Instagram has officially been launched for iPad users to enjoy.

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Social media giant Instagram makes its long-awaited debut on iPad devices, 15 years following the...
Social media giant Instagram makes its long-awaited debut on iPad devices, 15 years following the launch of parent company Facebook's tablet app.

Social media platform Instagram officially releases app for iPad, 15 years since inception

Social media giant Instagram is set to launch a new app for the iPad, marking a significant shift in the platform's focus towards short-form video content. The new app, which will be available from September 3rd, is a strategic move to challenge the dominance of TikTok in the short-form video market.

Instagram has been steadily investing in short-form video content, extending clip lengths, adding repost and fast-forward options, and prioritising Reels, as indicated by the change in the app's opening screen. The new iPad app will continue this focus, offering a different user experience compared to the phone app.

Upon opening the new app, users will be greeted with a feed of Reels, short-form videos that have become increasingly popular on the platform. The traditional primary feed of photos and videos from accounts you follow is no longer the first thing users will see. Instead, Stories will still be at the top of the homepage, as they are on the phone app.

One of the notable changes in the new app is the placement of comments. Unlike on the phone app, where comments cover the Reels, they will appear beside full-size Reels on the iPad. This change aims to improve the viewing experience for users.

Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has reportedly been dusting off long-standing plans for an iPad app, and the launch of the new app seems to have been expedited. This move may have been influenced by TikTok's uncertain future in the U.S., as well as heavy political and regulatory pressure on the platform.

The decision to bring Instagram to the iPad platform was made within the company, but no specific individual responsible for this decision is publicly named in the available sources. The new app will also be "coming soon" to Android tablets.

Instagram is hoping to lure TikTok creators onto its platform with the new iPad app. The new app will provide a different user experience compared to the phone app, with a focus on Reels. Users can switch over to a Following tab that offers a traditional Instagram feel, including a chronological feed.

The DMs page on the iPad looks a lot like Messenger on desktop, offering a familiar interface for users. The launch of the new Instagram app for the iPad may be a strategic move to compete with TikTok, as Instagram looks to expand its reach in the short-form video market.

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