There once was a time when Instagram users had to download external apps to change the dimensions on their iPhone masterpieces. If you wanted to post a full shot of your brunch spread or that sunset you saw on the beach (#nofilter), you would have to download an external app that asked you every single day if you would like to download a new collage layout. No, I don’t. Please stop asking. Please!
Well, those days are now over because, for the first time in its five years of existence, Instagram is introducing native features that allow users to post landscape and portrait images instead of only the signature square. Mashable spoke to Instagram product manager Ashley Yuki, who explained that this new element was implemented to create a more uniform, enjoyable user experience.
“For the average Instagram user as they’re scrolling through their feed, 1 in every 5 moments that they’re seeing, essentially feels like it’s not natively supported on their platform… That’s something we really want to make better.”
Now, all images taken within the app are still locked into the original square format, but all photos uploaded to Instagram from external sources now have the expanded options. Users will now see a new toggle in the bottom left-hand corner of their screen when they open the Library section, and they can use it to adjust the image to their liking.
This development is pretty handy and will definitely increase ease of use, but you are forfeiting your excuse to crop out that one friend who always makes the group shot all about them, so as you lose one #firstworldproblem, you gain another.
(Via Mashable)