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Introducing Instagram Direct

blog.instagram.com

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Re: Introducing Instagram Direct

#91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I pay $50/month for unlimited calling, text, and data (5GB LTE speeds, then 2G) on T-Mobile. I pay outright for the phone (had a GalaxyNexus, moved to iPhone 5s). Its really not a bad deal. Disclaimer: T-Mobile customer for 13 years.

True, not a bad deal at all Some comparison values: With 20€ per month on Ireland (pre-payed) one can get 250Mb AND Free calls in the network + free texts AND the 20€ for calls to other networks http://www.meteor.ie/pay-as-you-go/anytime-all-in/?linkid=pa... (if you go contract, the 20€ get you 1Gb Internet + 200Mins + Unlimited texts)

That is a shockingly low amount for prepaid data. T-Mobile has a $30/month unlimited (5GB 4G, then 2G) data and text plan (100 voice minutes).

Re: Introducing Instagram Direct

#92

Introducing Nothing New. All they did was copy half of Snapchat's functionality and add the instagram ability to "edit" pictures. I don't get the point of all of this stuff sometimes. Is this what super smart and savvy people are working on in tech? Another way to send pictures to friends that isn't text, fb messenger, snapchat, kik, whatsapp, etc? Edit: I am really wondering if I'm missing something here with my abo…

Completely agree. They are not doing anything even remotely innovative. Added direct messaging means nothing when the simple direct messaging channel has already evolved beyond just a picture/video. A techchrunch article said they are like Apple, not doing it first, but doing it the best. That's complete BS as well. It doesn't look or feel any different or better than FB messenger, iMessage, whatsapp, snapchat or any other messaging apps for that matter.

Re: Introducing Instagram Direct

#93
post #89

Introducing Nothing New. All they did was copy half of Snapchat's functionality and add the instagram ability to "edit" pictures. I don't get the point of all of this stuff sometimes. Is this what super smart and savvy people are working on in tech? Another way to send pictures to friends that isn't text, fb messenger, snapchat, kik, whatsapp, etc? Edit: I am really wondering if I'm missing something here with my abo…

People are doing this too. It looks dumb, but inside there're lots of interesting technical challenges. Some of the awe inspiring breakthroughs are often extremely boring technically. I started my career in the computational chemistry and was looking over the shoulder of the guys doing some really bleeding etch research on organic compounds simulation. Oh, man, do you know how boring it is for a programmer? You're lo…

Is it bleeding etch or bleeding edge? I cant keep up with stuff anymore.

Re: Introducing Instagram Direct

#94

Introducing Nothing New. All they did was copy half of Snapchat's functionality and add the instagram ability to "edit" pictures. I don't get the point of all of this stuff sometimes. Is this what super smart and savvy people are working on in tech? Another way to send pictures to friends that isn't text, fb messenger, snapchat, kik, whatsapp, etc? Edit: I am really wondering if I'm missing something here with my abo…

I feel the same way. I often wonder with all the bright minds and current innovations in tech, why we still continually try to come up with novel ways to send cat pictures over the internet. Surely there are more interesting uses for the vast technological resources available to this generation.

Re: Introducing Instagram Direct

#95

Introducing Nothing New. All they did was copy half of Snapchat's functionality and add the instagram ability to "edit" pictures. I don't get the point of all of this stuff sometimes. Is this what super smart and savvy people are working on in tech? Another way to send pictures to friends that isn't text, fb messenger, snapchat, kik, whatsapp, etc? Edit: I am really wondering if I'm missing something here with my abo…

I feel the same way. I often wonder with all the bright minds and current innovations in tech, why we still continually try to come up with novel ways to send cat pictures over the internet. Surely there are more interesting uses for the vast technological resources available to this generation.

You're missing the most important question in all of this: interesting according to whom?

It's equivalent to someone that prefers non-fiction scientific educational TV shows, claiming that it's outrageous all of the money goes toward sitcoms or the next Avengers movie.

Re: Introducing Instagram Direct

#97

Introducing Nothing New. All they did was copy half of Snapchat's functionality and add the instagram ability to "edit" pictures. I don't get the point of all of this stuff sometimes. Is this what super smart and savvy people are working on in tech? Another way to send pictures to friends that isn't text, fb messenger, snapchat, kik, whatsapp, etc? Edit: I am really wondering if I'm missing something here with my abo…

That's exactly right, and it's a great move on their part.

Instagram itself wasn't some grand innovation. It's an experience product, that's meant to be easy to use and fun. It's not here to cure cancer, it never pretended to, and it doesn't need to attempt to.

Re: Introducing Instagram Direct

#98
post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People are doing this too. It looks dumb, but inside there're lots of interesting technical challenges. Some of the awe inspiring breakthroughs are often extremely boring technically. I started my career in the computational chemistry and was looking over the shoulder of the guys doing some really bleeding etch research on organic compounds simulation. Oh, man, do you know how boring it is for a programmer? You're lo…

Is it bleeding etch or bleeding edge? I cant keep up with stuff anymore.

leading edge (marketing bs) -> bleeding edge -> bleeding etch. It's a very old joke, I've read it in Dr. Dobbs sometime in mid-90s.

Re: Introducing Instagram Direct

#99
post #76

so if facebook can't buy snapchat for 3 billion they'll just make their own

I suppose they already have the userbase. And it's not like there's much effort in copying a simple flow like Snapchat has. I'm pretty sure they (SC) have a patent on an app that goes straight to camera, amongst others though. Crazy.

Re: Introducing Instagram Direct

#100
Instagram's beauty was its simplicity. You took photos, edited them, and shared them with friends.

Post-facebook acquire they've introduced "features" that add very little to the service, copy competitors, and degrade the overall experience of Instagram.

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