Instagram reaches 27 million registered users, Android app on its way and “better than the iPhone app”

Instagram has taken the stage at SXSW, today. One of the main announcements was that the popular picture sharing iOS app has just reached 27 million registered users, with a whopping 67% of them using the app just yesterday. But that was not the only good news. Co-founder Kevin Systrom disclosed a bit of the upcoming Instagram Android app, mentioning that “in some ways, it is better than their iOS app.”

Systrom went on to give users a quick preview of the app by flashing it to the public, running in a Galaxy Nexus. But a full-demo was not given, as this app is now under private beta. But it should not be too long before us Android users can get in on the picture-sharing fun.

We may be wondering what took such a large developer so long. Instagram was launched in the fall of 2010, and we have been hearing of it coming to Android since that year. After multiple updates and leaks, we continue to wait. It has been almost 2 years, and there are chances that the delay will reach that threshold before Instagram makes it to Android devices. Here is what Kevin has to say about the matter:

“I don’t think it took us so long. We just had priorities. Had we tried to be both on Android and iPhone at the same time, it would’ve been tough to innovate in the way that we have.”

Instagram was trying to build up its fame with iOS, instead of rushing things and working on both operating systems. The team believes that they can create a better service by taking its time to make a quality product. But with a good product and customer base, Instagram now claims to be ready for the Android ecosystem.

Regardless, the app should be hitting the Google Play Store soon. And with such a high adoption rate on iOS, that 27 million number should be increasing very quickly once the little green robot gets its hands on it.

How many of you have been waiting for the Instagram app to reach Android? Will you be using the app?

[Via: TechCrunch]

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