Facebook looking to take down Instagram [Rumor]

August 24, 2011 | by Tony Price

If you ask me, there is a short list of iPhone apps that I have always envied. Some of those apps made the transition to Android rather quickly, like Angry Birds. Others took a little longer, but wound up being worth the wait, like the Squarespace Beta I wrote about earlier this month. However, some have yet to make the move, and that’s upsetting. My prime example is Instagram.

Well, it looks like Facebook is prepping to ease my pain. According to a story by Nick Bilton of the New York Times, the world’s largest social network is getting ready to move into the photo-filter app space. Bilton’s sources, who are cited as Facebook engineers, claim that Facebook is planning on adding photo filters to their mobile applications.

Instagram for iOS

These filters include many Instagram-like filters, like old-style camera lenses and grainy film. They also said that Facebook is working on a number of new filters, with the hope of attracting users away from Instagram and towards Facebook. The engineers claimed that the feature has been ready for some time now, and they are waiting for these new filters to release it.

In the article, Bilton claims that Facebook attempted to purchase Instagram over this past summer, to no avail. Unfortunately, Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom declined to comment on that rumor. Facebook was unable to be reached for comment.

I think this is good news for most users. A large percentage of Android users are also Facebook users. If they were to offer Instagram-like filters within their app, or even release it as a separate Facebook-branded app, I would use it all the time. The major benefit I see it having over Instagram is that it would have a built-in user base. I know that I would learn towards using because my friends are already on Facebook.

It’s also important to note that, if Facebook does launch this product, it may mean the death of Instagram. While Instagram has the benefit of integration with other social services, Facebook could mimic that if they wanted to. However, there are hundred of millions of Facebook die-hards who would jump over to this app in a heart beat. Instagram may never stand a chance on Android.

What are your thoughts on this story? Do you think Instagram has waited to long to come to Android? Would you use Facebook’s photo filters? Let us know how you feel in the comments below.

facebook, filters, Instagram, photos, sharing, social network

7 Comments

C-Tech says:

August 24, 2011 at 7:53 pm

I'll just stick with picplz, which is exactly like Instagram.
- Tony Price says:
  
  August 24, 2011 at 8:00 pm
  
  I like PicPlz quite a bit. I have used it for a while. I still want Instagram, tho. The social community seems so well developed there.
Jeff says:

August 25, 2011 at 4:38 am

I would prefer Pool Party, the sharing concept is fantastic, but no filters as of now. Otherwise it will definitely be a killer app.
AndrewKam says:

August 25, 2011 at 10:43 am

Pool Party is growing on me but I just don't like the design of the app. I'd like to see them redesign that app and it would be a contender for photo sharing. I'm partial to Liveshare by Cooliris, too.
DJS says:

August 25, 2011 at 3:09 pm

It's not about the filters, the trouble with FB is you post a photo and nobody comments. Instagram has a great community of photo enthusiasts so when you post a photo you get lots of posiive feedback and instant gratification. Most IG photographers I know don't even use its built-in filters, they edit with third-party apps and love Instagram strictly for its social element. I don't know if FB can duplicate that because photography isn't its sole focus. But one thing is certain, if IG developers don't get off their asses and port their app to Android fast, they're really going to blow it.
- Tony Price says:
  
  August 25, 2011 at 4:23 pm
  
  I think that's an argument you can make for Facebook on the whole. There tends to be such a large volume of content going through the streams on Facebook that its hard to take it all in. On the other hand, its often easier to dela with a more focused stream, like what you get with Instagram. I think my point about the average user remains valid, however. A majority of people are on Facebook, and will just use their App to avoid having to build a friend base on a new service.
zandra fajardo says:

October 12, 2012 at 1:17 am

Nice i love it.

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