Instagram announced a new feature in an update to both their Android and iOS apps this morning called “Photos of You.” As the name suggests, this is a new way to tag people or objects in the photos you have snapped. It’s a lot like how Facebook photo tagging works, which would make sense since the photo-sharing service is owned by them. 

In the past, you had to mention people in the text associated with images in order to notify them that you they were being included. With “Photos of You,” you’ll now have an additional way to focus specifically on the people you spend time with during the pre-upload section of recently snapped pics. Once you have applied filters or made editing changes, you’ll now see that the “Share Photo” section includes an “Add people” box. Once you tap in that box, you’ll be directed to your image which will allow you to tap areas that you wish to tag people with. You can do this for multiple people, as you can see in the image above.

Also, included in your profile page, you’ll see a new tab for this “Photos of You” section, so that you can see every photo you have ever starred in.

To know if an image has tags, you should see a little black icon in the bottom left corner. To view images with tagged people, a simple single tap will bring up and tags.

Play Link

Via: Instagram

Instagram Introduces “Photos of You,” A New Way of Tagging People in Photos is a post from: Droid Life

After teasing the app for some time, Cinemagram is finally available for Android. For those not in the know, think of this application as Vine, the video/GIF-sharing app on iOS. You record four seconds of video, apply an effect and then let it rip. The video then either rewinds itself back and forth or repeats itself from the beginning. The app is laid out like Instagram, but instead of still shots, you see GIF-like posts from friends and people you follow. 

Making a “Cine” isn’t hard at all. Simply point at what you want to shoot, hold down the record button for as long as you choose (up to four seconds), apply a video filter (or don’t), and then publish. Before I make any real judgment, I will have to try the app out, but so far it isn’t bad at all.

Go check it out and have some fun.

Play Link

Cheers Nick S!

Cinemagram Finally Arrives for Android, Think “GIFs on Steroids” is a post from: Droid Life

One year after launching on Android to a not-so-warm-welcoming from iOS users, Instagram for our favorite platform now accounts for half of the photo-sharing app’s usage. Since launch, we have seen the service hit the 1 million download mark within a day, reach agreement to be acquired by Facebook for $1 billion, and momentarily scare the hell out of users after changing up their ToS. It’s been an event-filled year, but one the company will likely consider a success. Thus far, they have managed to stay true to their roots even though they are owned by one of the largest tech companies in the world.

For me personally, Instagram is still the only social network I use on a regular basis outside of work. Simple square pictures, in my opinion, are so much more enjoyable to consume on a casual level than the personal status updates and political/religious/opinion link sharing that floods the likes of Facebook or Google+.

What about you, is Instagram a part of your life one year in?

Via:  Instagram

Half of Instagram Usage Now Made Up of Android Users is a post from: Droid Life

Yesterday, we saw what we believe to be the first ever picture of the white Nexus 4. It featured the Nexus logo, camera, flash, and Crystal Reflection back as one would expect, giving us little reason to assume that it’s anything but real. But why have no others surfaced? Well, thankfully another has, via Vietnamese site Tinhte. In a full hands-on gallery at what appears to be a dinner table, we get the best look yet of this pale beauty. 

It’s definitely a Nexus 4, there is no doubt about that. Even with a white back, it still sports the Crystal Reflection design that can only be seen at certain angles. The LG and Nexus logos, camera, and flash are all in the right spots. For some reason, though, the volume rocker and lock switch are both black, which sort of takes away from its whiteness.

Other than the back and sides, the front looks identical to the currently available black version. And you know what, that’s a thing of beauty, as there is a good chance we’ll see replacement part resellers put up these new white backs that can be swapped out with black backs in no time. Don’t worry, I’ve already looked into tearing our current versions apart for white backs and it looks incredibly simple. We’re just waiting now for them to be released.

So, what do you think?

Oh, and here is one last shot from a user on Facebook:

Via:  Tinhte | Slashgear

Cheers Mike!

Another White Nexus 4 Poses for Lengthy Photo Shoot is a post from: Droid Life

So, you got a fancy new Android phone for the holidays! Congratulations! Now that you’re all set up, the only thing left to do is find the best apps and start having some fun. Google Play offers thousands of different applications and games to choose from, so without getting lost looking through countless pages of apps, allow us to drop some knowledge on you.

These are our top 10 recommendations to get you started with Android. 

1.  Chrome (free):

Earlier this year, Google released Chrome for Android and changed the way folks were using their Internet browsers. With Chrome, your mobile device and desktop computer’s tabs/browsing history can be perfectly synced, allowing for a fantastic browsing experience while on the go. Were you looking up that perfect spot for lunch on your desktop and forgot the name while on your way? Chrome has you covered. It’s free on Google Play and is always the first app we suggest to new Android users.

2.  Falcon Pro ($0.99):

Our love for the Falcon Pro app for Twitter is well known in these parts. We even did a full review on the app just to inform the masses of its existence. What makes the app so great is the user experience. The app is built amazingly well and offers up a very smooth, yet easy-to-navigate experience. It features swipe controls that help you go through your different feeds, which allows you to only see and read what you want. When it comes to Twitter apps, Falcon Pro rules the roost.

3.  SwiftKey 3 Keyboard ($1.99):

For Android users, having a third party keyboard can be a major plus. There are a lot of different options out there and we have found that SwiftKey 3 (especially the new beta, Flow) takes the cake. As for me, I type extremely fast, so I need a keyboard whose auto correct I can actually rely on. The app also offers up a ton of customization options such as themes, layout options, and more. To top that off, it offers usage statistics that show you your typing efficiency and things of that nature. Definitely worth the price.

4.  Instagram (free):

Instagram makes our list given that we feel it to be the “perfect social network.” None of those silly status updates – just pictures that give you a peak into the lives of those you care about. And of course, you can follow some celebs if you are so inclined. You can always check out Facebook, Google+, and Tumblr as well.

5.  Nova Launcher (free):

Custom launchers are one of the many things that makes Android great. If you aren’t happy with the stock home experience, you can change it! What makes Nova our go-to launcher is that we simply love the performance and customization options. Once applied, it gives you the ability to use custom icons, adjust grid sizes, change home screen transitions, manipulate the app drawer, and so much more. If there was something in your stock home experience that you weren’t enjoying, Nova likely has a fix. Also, if you’re looking for a good custom icon pack, check our Lustre and Tersus from Google Play.

6.  Snapseed (free):

Snapseed is relatively new to Android, but it has already become one of our new favorites. Previously only available for iOS devices, it is award-winning photo editing software that puts many other “filter apps” to complete shame. With swipe controls that put you in command of some powerful editing tools, you can turn your silly smartphone pictures into works of art. Once you are done editing your pictures, you can easily share them to your favorite social network or save them to your device. What makes it even better is that it is completely free.

7.  Games (Granny Smith, Need for Speed: Most Wanted):

Okay, we couldn’t narrow it down to just a single game, so we will give you two to get started. For starters, if you know anything about us, you will know we love Granny Smith. We named it our top game of 2012 and for good reason – it’s addictive! To start, it’s nice and easy and then evolves into a game that can become frustrating and extremely difficult, all while being completely enjoyable to play. It’s priced at $1.99, but is a game that we can’t get enough of. Secondly, we have Need For Speed: Most Wanted. To put it simply, it’s the best driving game on Android. Period. For having tilt controls and some touchscreen controls, the game plays extremely well. The graphics are insanely sweet, but it does come paired with a high $5.99 price tag. Act quick and you can still get it on sale for $0.99.

8.  AppSales (free):

This app is fantastic. It’s sole purpose is to save you money on the apps you want. Everyday, AppSales is updated to show which apps on Google Play are currently on sale. From using this app, I’ve easily saved $10 on apps/games, which is a win in my book. Definitely install this one if you’re big into buying content for your device.

9.  Beautiful Widgets ($2.50)

Beautiful Widgets has been around since the beginning, and it’s always on our list of recommendations for new Android users. With the newest updates the app has received, it has blossomed into an amazing widget application, with a literal ton of different options to choose from. Once one of the widgets is applied to your homescreen, you can see the time, current weather reports for your location or another location, dates, and access your alarms all from your homescreen. There isn’t a single option you can’t customize, which allows users to make a widget that fits their device and lifestyle with relative ease. The app runs a couple of dollars, but it could be some of the best money you spend in a long time.

10.  Dropbox (free):

Being able to have all of your important files/media on the go is important to everyone, not just Android users. With Dropbox, you have a safe place to store your important photos, videos, work files, and everything else that you don’t want stored on your device. Dropbox is one of the must-have apps for any Android user.

Honorable Mentions:

The below listed apps didn’t make our top 10, but they certainly deserve a mention. Some are apps for getting work done, and the others are games that will help you waste that extra time you have. Either way, these are just a few more apps that we can’t live without as Android users.

1.  Flipboard (free)
2.  Pattrn (free)
3.  Grand Theft Auto: Vice City ($4.99)
4.  Adobe Reader (free)
5.  Zombiewood (free)
6.  Google Currents (free)
7.  Sound Search (free)
8.  Ingress (free)

If you have any apps that you want to share with the community, feel free to list them below in the comments section. Have a good time with your new device!

Top 10 Apps For Your New Android Device is a post from: Droid Life

Instagram’s Android app received an update this morning, one that introduced a new “Mayfair” filter and Facebook sharing to Pages. The changelog for the update also says that there are performance enhancements and bug fixes, along with support for 25 languages.

Play Links:  Instagram

Instagram Receives Update on Android – New “Mayfair” Filter, More Facebook Sharing is a post from: Droid Life

Given all of this attention surrounding Instagram’s latest Terms of Service update, the company’s co-founder Kevin Systrom, has taken to their official blog to set the facts straight. In a detailed message to concerned users, Systrom points out that they realize artists and hobbyists alike use their service and by no means is Instagram trying to sell off anybody’s work. 

Instagram users own their content and Instagram does not claim any ownership rights over your photos. Nothing about this has changed. We respect that there are creative artists and hobbyists alike that pour their heart into creating beautiful photos, and we respect that your photos are your photos. Period.

I always want you to feel comfortable sharing your photos on Instagram and we will always work hard to foster and respect our community and go out of our way to support its rights.

Along with trying to calm down their users, they are making it clear that instead of selling your work, they will be introducing some type of ad system to somehow gain revenue from people’s usage of their service. He also mentioned they are to release a revised ToS that better clarifies their position on the matter. No, is that so bad?

Okay, folks. Back into our caves we go until next time.

Via: Instagram

Instagram Co-Founder: We Respect That Your Photos Are Your Photos. Period. is a post from: Droid Life

If you’re a frequent user of Instagram, then you may have heard about the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy update that is penciled in for January, 2013. To sum it up, Instagram, purchased by Facebook some three months ago to the tune of $1 billion, is attempting to “borrow” your photos and sell them to third party companies. Your photos will then be used in a manner that directly relates to a company’s product. CNET’s Declan McCullagh had a great example of how this will work. 

That means that a hotel in Hawaii, for instance, could write a check to Facebook to license photos taken at its resort and use them on its Web site, in TV ads, in glossy brochures, and so on — without paying any money to the Instagram user who took the photo.

By updating their ToS and PP, Instabook will become the largest stock photo distributor in the world, without having to do any work at all. Now, informed people are reasonably a little upset/confused about why their pictures will all of a sudden have price tags on them. From some perspective, you can’t really argue with Facebook for trying to make money back on that large of an investment. What did you think their plans were when they threw down that much money? A simple integration between the two services? Let’s not be naive.

Now, as for me, I wasn’t making money from my hundreds of “Thor and Loki” pictures anyways, so have at them Facebook. For what seems like thousands of other people who are putting their photography portfolios online, this may seem much more damaging. If you fear for your work, host it on your own and delete your account. Users have until January 16 to delete their accounts and back out of the new terms before the company takes “control” over the photos.

Please, read the updated Terms of Service and Privacy Policy and get yourself informed.

Will you continue to use Instagram in the event of this updated policy or have you already deleted your account?

Via: CNET

Cheers everyone who sent this in!

About This Instagram ToS Update. is a post from: Droid Life

(Sam Elliot voice.) The battle of filters. Instagram and Twitter. Both receiving updates. Who will push beyond photo boundaries? Defy the social networks? Bring the the “Like” and “Retweet” buttons to their knees? The road doesn’t end here, this is only the beginning. RAM…errr…

Anyways, both Twitter and Instagram did receive updates this afternoon. Instagram introduced a new filter called “Willow,” that to me, just looks black and white. Twitter on the other, included filters into their app for the first time, something we have been expecting. There are eight of these lovely little image enhancers, along with auto-fix and crop actions. And yeah, that’s pretty much that. Both updates are available, so hit up the links below so that your world can become vintage. 

Play Links:  Instagram | Twitter

Click here to view the embedded video.

Twitter Update Introduces Photo Filters Just as Instagram Updates With New “Willow” Filter is a post from: Droid Life

Lately I have been trying to be more conscious of the reasons behind why I post something on a social network. As I near 19,000 tweets I am keenly aware that I share my thoughts more than most people. I am certainly not anywhere near having the most tweets, but as I have participated in social networks like MySpace, Twitter, Facebook, Path, Instagram, and others over the past few years I have adjusted how much I share and how I share it.

When I joined MySpace (somewhere around 2005-2006) it was designed as a simple way to share information about yourself, blog, listen to music, and share photos. I often blogged about my life on MySpace, but it was much more about who you are than what was happening in your life right now. Facebook changed that by implementing a status update. MySpace had a similar feature (share your mood), but Facebook made it the center. I think most people migrated from MySpace to Facebook (a migration that has never been replicated from Facebook to elsewhere despite Google’s best efforts) because Facebook encouraged you to share about now, while MySpace was more like your own website.

Since Facebook has risen in popularity we’ve seen services like Twitter and Instagram rise up as simplified versions of the same idea: share content with others. While Facebook has become a behemoth for both text and media content sharing, services like Twitter and App.net focus on text sharing while Instagram and Flickr focused on sharing photos, not text. At their core, however, all of these services center around the same thing: publish yourself.

Every digital service is centered around two types of interactions: publishing content and rating content. On Facebook you update your status and like a picture of your high school buddy’s cat; on Google Plus you share a YouTube video and +1 your favorite Android app; on Twitter you tweet about whatever mundane activity you’re participating in and retweet that Justin Bieber likes cereal for breakfast; on Foursquare you check in to maintain mayorship of your own house and leave a tip at your local gym; on Instagram you post a picture of your lunch and double tap to like a friend’s image that they filtered to look like it had been recovered from Egypt after the seven plagues; on Path you share what music you’re listening to and laugh at a friend’s story; on App.net you wish more people were there. The list goes on and on.

There are at least three questions I think we should consider when we evaluate this system of publishing and rating. First, is what you’re about to publish more valuable if it is on a social network, or would it be just as valuable if shared personally (in person, via text, through email, etc.)? Second, does the content you publish become more valuable if others rate it (and conversely less valuable if others do not rate it)? Third, are ratings of your content on a social network valuable?

This year after we finished setting up the Christmas tree at my mother and father-in-law’s house we took a family photo. I posted the picture on Instagram and received a number of likes. The following day, my sister-in-law (who is sixteen) reposted my picture and has triple the number of likes that mine has. I got value out of sharing that picture because family and friends were able to see it, but it would have been just as valuable for me if it had not been shared. It’s one of the few pictures I have of our three families together and it represents a milestone in my life (my first Christmas as an official part of the family). The content did not become more valuable for me because of the likes that it did or did not receive. For my sister-in-law, however, that picture gained value with the number of likes it received. For her it was less valuable if it was not shared. It isn’t that she doesn’t appreciate that moment like I do, but rather that sharing that moment made it more valuable for her.

The economy of social networks is tricky. Should I feel less important or popular or valuable if I have fewer followers on Twitter than another or if no one retweets my awesome joke? Should I choose to post something based on whether or not I think it will receive likes? Am I part of a social network just to glorify myself and encourage others to like my content so I can feel good about who I am? Is that the kind of person that I want to be?

These may seem like too deep of questions to ask in response to social networking, but the reality is that social networks have become an integral part of who we are. Many of us have either consciously or subconsciously learned to value publishing content for the sake of ratings. Sharing about yourself is not in and of itself bad and it isn’t wrong for you to feel good about yourself if someone double taps your Instagram picture.

I’m not a Luddite lobbyist or a hipster who owns dozens of LPs but no record player. I value technology and social networking, but I also recognize that publishing in and of itself isn’t valuable. Even if dozens or hundreds of people like something I post, that doesn’t mean it is objectively valuable, and even more importantly that shouldn’t mean that it is more subjectively valuable to me.

Personally, I’m still muddling through these questions and trying to understand why I publish what I do. I’m beginning to ask myself if things are more or less valuable if I post them, etc. I don’t know if I’m becoming a better or worse person because of social networking, but I want to be sure that I’m at least asking myself the right questions to start to discern that. While some things are certainly more valuable when shared, I’m trying to find a balance with the things that I share and to appreciate moments and ideas sans ratings. I’m learning that journaling helps filter out the urge to publish and trying to remember that ratings on social networks truly should not alter my behavior or self-esteem. Just because something is published does not mean it is more valuable.

Likes, Retweets, Double Taps and Smiley Faces: The Economy of Social Networks [Off Topic] is a post from: Droid Life

Remember the great day it was when iOS users were up in arms over the release of their favorite application to Android? To sum it up, they were pretty much pissed. Today, I think it’s safe to say that they have grown to accept our enormous presence. Thanks, iOS fans! Big news from the Instagram camp today though, as they have announced that every single one of their users is getting a web-based profile that bares a striking resemblance to Facebook. 

With the profiles, users can do everything they can online through their computers that they could through their phones, except for actually uploading and editing photos. Through the web you’ll be able to “like” pictures, comment on other’s photos, and edit your profile. Not bad. The profiles will go live within the next few days if yours hasn’t already.

To see your profile, simply go to instagram.com/”yourusername.” Pretty neat, right?

Via: TechCrunch | Instagram

Instagram Introduces Web-Based Service, Now What Will iOS Users Complain About? is a post from: Droid Life

Today, both Facebook and Instagram confirmed that the $1 billion deal between the two has officially come to a close. Instagram is now a child of Facebook. According to Facebook, Instagram will remain unchanged and will continue to support their community. Although, with Instagram’s team moving into the Facebook offices, they will now have access to their engineers and developers to help grow the service. A Facebook rep was quoted as saying, “we also can’t wait to work with the talented Instagram team to improve the mobile experience.”

Now, I don’t know if they mean FB’s team will help Instagram’s team or the other way around. If you ask me, keep those Facebook app developers away from my Instagram! No need to go breaking something that doesn’t need fixing. If it’s the other way around, then please Instagram team, help Facebook make a decent app. They need all the help they can get. 

Happy Facegram or Instabook Day!

Via: Engadget

Facebook’s $1 Billion Instagram Acquisition is Complete, Looks to “Improve Mobile Experience” is a post from: Droid Life

Instagram users, today is your day. Version 3.0 has been released for Android, bringing with it plenty of new features that users have been waiting for and one that is completely new. The biggest addition in the update is called Photo Map. If you geo-tag your photos, you can browse through your photos on a map, showing where the pictures were taken. It’s a neat new way of browsing the past especially since you can also see other’s maps too.

The other new feature that we’ve been dying for is infinite scrolling. No more “Load More” buttons at the bottom of the screen. Simply keep on scrolling.

You can go pick up the newest update in Google Play now. And while you’re at it, you should go ahead and follow @droidlife. We’ll be posting plenty of Android fun stuff!

Play Link

Instagram Updated to Version 3.0, New Photo Map and Infinite Scrolling is a post from: Droid Life

Your favorite hipster filter application has been updated today to allow for Nexus 7 support. Although the Nexus 7 does not have a back-facing camera, users like myself still like to peruse the galleries and stalk our friend’s activities. Along with the added support, you can share photos to Flickr, which is an added bonus. If you have been missing Instagram on your new Jelly Bean tablet, go grab it now.

Play Link

Cheers K!

Instagram Updated in Google Play, Adds Nexus 7 Support is a post from: Droid Life

Instagram fans, go grab the latest update in the Play Store if you haven’t already. Once you have, you will find searching abilities from the “Explore” tab, along with a fancy new icon, and the option to share your photo “Likes” with Facebook. For those not familiar, you used to have to go all of the way into your profile to search, so this is welcomed change. Other than that, bug fixes were tossed in for good measure.

Play Link

Cheers Jorge!

Instagram For Android Receives Update – Easier Searching and Sharing Likes to Facebook Included is a post from: Droid Life