Instagram has finally launched an iPad app.
It's not just a bigger version of the phone app, and that's a very intentional choice.
After a long wait, Instagram is releasing an iPad app. Users who have used the stretched iPhone app on their tablets for years may find this a positive change. However, the new app isn't just a scaled-up version of the mobile app; it demonstrates Meta's strategy, which is closely related to TikTok.
The iPad app opens directly to Reels, unlike the mobile app that opens to a standard photo and video feed. Regular feeds, Stories, and DMs are accessible through separate tabs. The design emphasizes video consumption, positioning the iPad as a platform for Meta's TikTok alternative.
The release targets TikTok, which has offered a full-screen tablet viewing experience. Instagram cited "technical challenges" and "low priority" as reasons for the delay in developing an iPad app. The company likely didn't recognize its value until now. Reels now account for 50% of time spent on the platform, so Meta needs a larger platform to highlight the feature.
The native app is now available, but it serves as a strategic move in the ongoing competition for video viewers. Meta is focusing on user engagement, and the iPad’s larger display works well for this. This business decision has been a long time coming. The effect of this video-focused strategy on iPad users remains to be seen.
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"Iconic Phones" is coming this Fall!
Rediscover some of the most unique and memorable phones of the last two decades! "Iconic Phones" is a beautifully illustrated book that we've been working on for over a year - and it's coming out in just a couple short month!
"Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips" is a must-have coffee table book for every phone lover out there. Covering the stories of more than 20 fan-favorite phones, it takes you on a memorable journey through the technological revolution that shaped our lives. Sign up now to secure an early discount price!
Rediscover some of the most unique and memorable phones of the last two decades! "Iconic Phones" is a beautifully illustrated book that we've been working on for over a year - and it's coming out in just a couple short month!
"Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips" is a must-have coffee table book for every phone lover out there. Covering the stories of more than 20 fan-favorite phones, it takes you on a memorable journey through the technological revolution that shaped our lives. Sign up now to secure an early discount price!