Facebook To Buy Instagram For $1 Billion

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Facebook To Buy Instagram For $1 Billion

Posted by Soulskill on Monday April 9, 2012 @05:29AM from the payday-at-the-instagram-office dept.

Dorduan writes with news that Facebook is buying Instagram, the company who makes the popular mobile photo-sharing app of the same name, for approximately $1 billion. Mark Zuckerberg wrote, "... in order to do this well, we need to be mindful about keeping and building on Instagram's strengths and features rather than just trying to integrate everything into Facebook. That's why we're committed to building and growing Instagram independently. Millions of people around the world love the Instagram app and the brand associated with it, and our goal is to help spread this app and brand to even more people. We think the fact that Instagram is connected to other services beyond Facebook is an important part of the experience. We plan on keeping features like the ability to post to other social networks, the ability to not share your Instagrams on Facebook if you want, and the ability to have followers and follow people separately from your friends on Facebook."

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Bye-bye Instagram... by FromageTheDog · 2012-04-09 05:33 · Score: 1

...it was nice knowin' ya!
1. Re:Bye-bye Instagram... by Mojo66 · 2012-04-09 05:50 · Score: 1
  
  Yup. Just deleted the app. I also recommend doing this.
2. Re:Bye-bye Instagram... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 05:59 · Score: 0
  
  No ads, no BS, only a small portion of my friends... HUGE congratulations to them, but this is somewhat disappointing.
3. Re:Bye-bye Instagram... by AliasMarlowe · 2012-04-09 06:59 · Score: 1
  
  Yup. Just deleted the app. I also recommend doing this.
  Never heard of Instagram (but I have used Photobucket on occasion), and now I know I am unlikely ever to use Instagram. And BTW, my router already blocks all of Facebook's IP ranges, so I'm probably safe from Facebook's trackers. Actually, it's quite remarkable how many web pages have one or more "Forbidden" frames on them, not just the ubiquitous "like" buttons. Next, I guess the Instagram IP ranges must be added to the filter...
  
  --
  Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. - Voltaire
4. Re:Bye-bye Instagram... by allo · 2012-04-09 07:28 · Score: 2
  
  not enough domains. think of all the connect-stuff and fbcdn and such related sites.
  This are even the wrong domains. www.facebook.com is the harmless one, which is only active, when you WANT to visit facebook. the other subdomains and other domains are the ones tracking you on the web via facebook-comments, like-buttons, etc.
5. Re:Bye-bye Instagram... by oztiks · 2012-04-09 08:25 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  Let me get this straight $1b for some freaking iPhone app? really? a free one? Who on earth gave these people money in the first place? and then let them go off and use that free money they received to buy a free app which apparently someone somewhere said was worth $1b?
  I really need to rethink this whole doing something tangible in order to actually make money concept. Perhaps look towards the do something miniscule but make it look like it was tangible department? any ideas?
6. Re:Bye-bye Instagram... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 08:46 · Score: 0
  
  Just deleted it and also the account.
  I can't believe it. I've been waiting for MONTHS for them to release the app for Android. And now, that I've been using it for like two weeks, BAM! Facebook buys Instagram.
  just FUCK!
7. Re:Bye-bye Instagram... by toddmbloom · 2012-04-09 10:09 · Score: 0
  
  Ah, typical internet.
  
  Overreacting and blowing everything out of proportion before they know the facts for over 20 years.
8. Re:Bye-bye Instagram... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 16:58 · Score: 0
  
  Whoa, we got us an infestation of fuckin' hipsters here! I'm outta here!
9. Re:Bye-bye Instagram... by mug+funky · 2012-04-09 19:18 · Score: 1
  
  you're gonna have to just learn how to take photos, rather than hiding your shit under a filter.
10. Re:Bye-bye Instagram... by robthebloke · 2012-04-09 21:29 · Score: 1
  
  Pentax was sold to Rioch a few months ago for £77million. It's a company that actually makes things, turns a real profit, and has a mountain of IP stretching back to the 1930's. In twenty years time, I'm fairly certain that Pentax will still be around. Can anyone really say the same for Instagram?
11. Re:Bye-bye Instagram... by oztiks · 2012-04-09 22:26 · Score: 1
  
  What's disconcerting is facebook and their indescrimant use of their funds. The start up capital for instagram was 500k and all it is is quite a straightforward app. So facebook is buying the marketshare and brand. It isn't like FB hasn't these things ...
  Is this just another "I'm CEO bitch" displays of zukkers childish attitudes?
12. Re:Bye-bye Instagram... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-10 04:08 · Score: 0
  
  thanks for letting us know you've deleted the app. i've just updated my spreadsheet. anyone else i'm forgetting?
13. Re:Bye-bye Instagram... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-10 11:57 · Score: 0
  
  Bubble Away! A big Crash around the globe is coming!!! Stock for 1.5 years as that is the median time of a currency collapse to get on stable ground. Fiat currencies bye, bye.
One Billion? by NeutronCowboy · 2012-04-09 05:34 · Score: 5, Interesting

OK, I have to admit it: I don't get it. What is it about Instragram that is worth $1Billion? Isn't it just a photo app with some built-in filters and sharing tools? Kinda like any other semi-advanced photo app?
So again - 1 $Billion? I mean, grats to the Instagram founders for cashing out in a massive fashion. But is this just another AOL? Is Facebook just grasping at straws in terms of trying to grow?

--
Those who can, do. Those who can't, sue.
1. Re:One Billion? by teh31337one · 2012-04-09 05:37 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  Facebook may never make that $1b back, but it's still smart. Instagram was the only thing challenging their dominance in photo sharing. Via Twitter
2. Re:One Billion? by pympdaddyc · 2012-04-09 05:38 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Without disagreeing with the substance of your post ($1 billion does seem like a lot for what it is), in principle things like notoriety/brand recognition, patents, and existing user base all are worth money, much more than whatever time it would take for a competitor to build an identical system from scratch.
3. Re:One Billion? by aaandre · 2012-04-09 05:38 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  The application details are a formality. The 30+million users are the product.
  Facebook is buying cattle fenced in by another app, and moving it within its world (where Google cannot reach :).
4. Re:One Billion? by vlm · 2012-04-09 05:39 · Score: 1
  
  Some fun math to take the number of active users (not installed, not "created an account", but active) and divide the billion by that.
  Also fun to contemplate a billion divided by the number of pics taken.
  They're going to have to monetize that billion somehow, plus a profit... how is the mystery...
  
  --
  "Science flies us to the moon. Religion flies us into buildings." - Victor Stenger
5. Re:One Billion? by alen · 2012-04-09 05:39 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  1990's and prior - you had to buy and read magazines to get your celeb news
  21st century - celebs connect directly to fans via social networks
  the owner of the platform that owns this will have a huge opportunity in marketing
  look for pinterest to be bought next
6. Re:One Billion? by pankkake · 2012-04-09 05:45 · Score: 1
  
  Maybe they think it will help get them some money out of hipster's trust funds.
  
  --
  Kill all hipsters.
7. Re:One Billion? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 05:47 · Score: 0
  
  Wealth is in the users. No matter how novel.
8. Re:One Billion? by poetmatt · 2012-04-09 05:48 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  Yep. this is a "purchase to shut it down.". Funny how things happened right around when they released for android (even though it's likely that this deal was in the works for months).
9. Re:One Billion? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 05:48 · Score: 0
  
  Won't faceplant also own all the user generated content in Instagram? Isn't that what happens to anything you post to faceplant already?
  Poop, I wanted to try Instagram but I won't use it if facebook owns it.
10. Re:One Billion? by Desler · 2012-04-09 05:50 · Score: 2
  
  What's funny about that? Facebook supports Android as well.
11. Re:One Billion? by Hogwash+McFly · 2012-04-09 06:08 · Score: 1
  
  The wonders of the Extrovert Economy.
  
  --
  Mother, do you think they'll like this sig?
12. Re:One Billion? by NeutronCowboy · 2012-04-09 06:15 · Score: 1
  
  Fair enough. But how many Instagram users are NOT already on Facebook? To expand your analogy, this is like buying cattle that is sitting in a small little fence that is already surrounded by a much larger fence - your fence. This means that one of three things is true: Instagram users are for some reason largely not on Facebook, there's something about the Instagram app that is special, or Zuckerberg got suckered. I hope it's the last one, but... who knows. I'm still curious to see if I'm missing something here.
  
  --
  Those who can, do. Those who can't, sue.
13. Re:One Billion? by edmicman · 2012-04-09 06:16 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Facebook supports Android as well.
  Is that what you call it?
14. Re:One Billion? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 06:37 · Score: 0
  
  Yep. this is a "purchase to shut it down."
  
  I'm not privy to Instagram's financial statements, but there are a lot of companies I'd love to see shut down, especially if offered a billion dollars. Congratulations to anyone at Instragram with equity, for your CEO had the wisdom to take the money and run!
15. Re:One Billion? by brit74 · 2012-04-09 06:47 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Doesn't $33 per user seem a bit excessive to you?
16. Re:One Billion? by macbass · 2012-04-09 06:55 · Score: 1
  
  Look at it this way - a billion isn't worth what it once was. That's the only way I can stop my head spinning over this decision. Are apps the next tulip craze? And how many other disconnected thoughts can I get in here?
17. Re:One Billion? by TheRaven64 · 2012-04-09 07:04 · Score: 2
  
  Remember that the Facebook T&Cs give them a nonexclusive, transferable, sublicenseable, commercial copyright license to anything you upload. They've started making money from selling photos that people upload, and I doubt this will stop any time soon...
  
  --
  I am TheRaven on Soylent News
18. Re:One Billion? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 07:08 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  "Social" is a tough game. By the time it's clear that a competing platform is a threat, they'll have their own established brand and overinflated stock price.
  Presumably Facebook believe that a large number of their users use their accounts primarily for sharing photos with friends.If some other platform starts serving that need, they'll stop spending time on Facebook, and if the platform reaches critical mass, they'll start "dragging" other users over.
  Remember that ad revenues go up as users spend more time on their site. If people are sharing and browsing photos somewhere else, they're spending less time on Facebook, even if they still have an account.
  Thus there are two costs: the direct loss of ad revenue as people spend less time on Facebook, and the increased risk of a competitor gaining critical mass as people form networks outside of Facebook. It's safest to cull them while they are buds, but of course the start-ups know that, and demand a hugely inflated price.
19. Re:One Billion? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 07:39 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  I'm a former Android user who has just converted to iPhone, I can assure you that that iPhone Facebook app sucks just as badly as the Android one.
20. Re:One Billion? by AngryDeuce · 2012-04-09 07:57 · Score: 1
  
  But how many Instagram users are NOT already on Facebook?
  *raises hand*
  Well, at least I used to be an Instagram user. Just got it when they debuted it for Android. Since I can't fucking stand Facebook, I guess that means I'm now done with Instagram, since even if they do keep it as a stand alone product, they'll probably require a Facebook account.
  /sigh...
  Any recommendations anyone have for a good free Android alternative for something to take quick snapshots, apply a basic filter, and share them with people? Tried Vignette and Retro Camera and they both sucked compared to Instagram.
21. Re:One Billion? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 08:12 · Score: 0
  
  sounds like the premise of the 9th season of Two and a Half Men
22. Re:One Billion? by atriusofbricia · 2012-04-09 09:03 · Score: 1
  
  But how many Instagram users are NOT already on Facebook?
  *raises hand*
  Well, at least I used to be an Instagram user. Just got it when they debuted it for Android. Since I can't fucking stand Facebook, I guess that means I'm now done with Instagram, since even if they do keep it as a stand alone product, they'll probably require a Facebook account.
  /sigh...
  Any recommendations anyone have for a good free Android alternative for something to take quick snapshots, apply a basic filter, and share them with people? Tried Vignette and Retro Camera and they both sucked compared to Instagram.
  I presume you mean without having to do the two or three whole extra clicks required to do it using the native tools?
  1. Take picture
  2. Tap it in the upper right hand side
  3. Tap it again to go to the gallery
  4. Tap the tri-button thing in the upper right handside
  5. Edit to your hearts desire
  6. Post to the universe.
  I get that Instagram and kin eliminated a few clicks. I suppose everyone who ever shares to it always applies filters. Otherwise, the workflow collapses to:
  1. Take picture
  2. Tap it in the upper right hand side
  3. Post it
  4. Have cake
  5. Enjoy cake
  Was Instagram really that bloody cool?
  
  --
  I was raised on the command line, bitch
  "Nemo me impune lacesset"
23. Re:One Billion? by dj245 · 2012-04-09 09:23 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  It has also been shown that bubbles appear even when market participants are well-capable of pricing assets correctly.
  
  In other words, even if everyone knows its a bubble, they will propagate it anyway.
  
  --
  Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress at this period in history.
24. Re:One Billion? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 09:43 · Score: 0
  
  Aviary has a nice photo plugin available for android. It sits in the share menu and lets you apply basically the same effects as instagram before you send.
25. Re:One Billion? by avm · 2012-04-09 10:09 · Score: 1
  
  I am liking Pixlr-o-matic. Shares with anything, lots of filters and borders. Plus, you don't need yet another login to use it. Also available for Android, iOS, and Chrome.
26. Re:One Billion? by goombah99 · 2012-04-09 10:16 · Score: 2
  
  Doesn't $33 per user seem a bit excessive to you?
  It's 30 million downloads of a free app. They would be lucky if they had even 1 million regular users. this is more like $1000 a customer. And I'd bet 90% of them already use facebook.
  SO that would be $10,000 per new customer.
  
  --
  Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
27. Re:One Billion? by stephanruby · 2012-04-09 10:39 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  The application details are a formality. The 30+million users are the product.
  Not just that. The Facebook IPO stock is also the product.
  And buying Instagram (for mostly what amounts to a stock swap) just before an IPO isn't as uncommon as you might think. Companies have been known to hire thousands of people for no other reason than trying to swell their headcount and ask for as much capitalization as possible for their IPO.
28. Re:One Billion? by dudeman500 · 2012-04-09 11:57 · Score: 1
  
  Isnt the point that facebook wants the photo data. If people were to save all their photos to instagram rather than facebook, then migrating to another social networking service would be a lot easier (since the main reason stopping people migrating is likely the loads of photos they already have uploaded).
29. Re:One Billion? by cortesoft · 2012-04-09 12:34 · Score: 1
  
  It is quite rational, really... even if you know something is a bubble and will eventually burst, you might also think that you can make a bunch of money riding the bubble, and still get out with your profits before it bursts. Some people DO win; you just never know if you are going to be the one caught holding the bag.
30. Re:One Billion? by VValdo · 2012-04-09 12:39 · Score: 1
  
  Any recommendations anyone have for a good free Android alternative for something to take quick snapshots, apply a basic filter, and share them with people? Tried Vignette and Retro Camera and they both sucked compared to Instagram.
  I am not a instagram (or facebook, for that matter) user, but I did take a quick look at Pixlr-OMatic and it's probably what you're looking for.
  
  --
  -------------------
  This is my SIG. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
31. Re:One Billion? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 13:09 · Score: 0
  
  Didn't we play this game back in 2000?
32. Re:One Billion? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 16:22 · Score: 0
  
  I'm a former Android user who has just converted to iPhone...
  I think there's a 12-step program available for that...
33. Re:One Billion? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 16:28 · Score: 0
  
  Sun Microsystems paid $2,2 million for me in 2008. ($1 billion / 450 MySQL AB employees.)
34. Re:One Billion? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 21:24 · Score: 0
  
  maybe they for some reason wanted to show they have a cool billion to just throw away
35. Re:One Billion? by oldlurker · 2012-04-09 21:25 · Score: 1
  
  Facebook may never make $1b
  ftfy
  Facebook made $1b profit in 2011, on revenue of $3.7b
36. Re:One Billion? by dskzero · 2012-04-10 02:04 · Score: 1
  
  Pinterest isn't that important. If anything, Tumblr might be: except that Tumblr is probably already too strong. All this interest for Pinterest reminds me of the huge boner every social media site had for Posterous, and we all know how it ended up.
  
  --
  Oblivion Awaits
37. Re:One Billion? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-10 03:02 · Score: 0
  
  The real joke is complaining about facebook at all....
  It's like complaining that being stabbed is painful..
38. Re:One Billion? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-10 11:27 · Score: 0
  
  Facebook sells user info. Instragram has access to people who don't use facebook, and/or bits of their life that facebook isn't quite reaching. Therefore, they are tapping into more information they can sell. Plus, they can target more adds to the users. They'd probably make their money back in a few years. They had almost $4 Billion in revenue last year (for a company with just over 1000 employees, that's pretty darn good), and are worth (estimated) $100 Billon ... so this is 1% of their woth they have spent. But, you can bet all that user info is getting stored and sold.
39. Re:One Billion? by 21mhz · 2012-04-10 20:41 · Score: 1
  
  Yeah, that's the thing that makes lotteries profitable... for their organizers.
  
  --
  My exception safety is -fno-exceptions.
40. Re:One Billion? by Pieroxy · 2012-04-11 09:54 · Score: 1
  
  The real joke is complaining about facebook at all....
  It's like complaining that being stabbed is painful..
  Nono, it's like complaining that being stabbed also smells bad !
  
  --
  Write boring code, not shiny code!
41. Re:One Billion? by hkmwbz · 2012-04-14 02:15 · Score: 1
  
  What's so popular about mobile photos with sepia filters? I don't get it. Why can't you just take regular photos and not apply sepia filters?
  
  --
  Clever signature text goes here.
Decisions, decisions... by DdJ · 2012-04-09 05:34 · Score: 2

Delete the Instagram account, or just tombstone it?
1. Re:Decisions, decisions... by game+kid · 2012-04-09 06:58 · Score: 1
  
  It's clear Facebook says they'll keep insta pretty much independent.
  It's also clear that Facebook is about as trustworthy as a shell in a casino when personal information is involved. If I had an insta account with sensitive info I would delete it and send my disgust to Instagram for their CEO's CC-al real quick now.
  
  --
  You can hold down the "B" button for continuous firing.
2. Re:Decisions, decisions... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 07:21 · Score: 0
  
  Delete the Instagram account, or just tombstone it?
  What would happen if FB were to buy /. ?
3. Re:Decisions, decisions... by AngryDeuce · 2012-04-09 07:59 · Score: 1
  
  Mass fucking suicide.
4. Re:Decisions, decisions... by larry+bagina · 2012-04-09 13:00 · Score: 1
  
  Just post a few dick pics and they'll take care of the rest.
  
  --
  Do you even lift?
  These aren't the 'roids you're looking for.
Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by teh31337one · 2012-04-09 05:34 · Score: 5, Funny

Here's their reaction to Instagram on android: http://www.androidpit.com/en/android/blog/404116/instagram-for-android
More here: https://twitter.com/#!/AndroidAGram
And my personal favourites:

The Bad Guy @DamnLes
Apple needs to stop whoever is converting their programs.. Now android have temple run and instagram.. its not special to have an iphone
Michael @Periphereality
@DamnLes I agree they need to stop the guy who keeps converting the iPhone apps! It should be illegal isn't it against copywright?!1
1. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 05:37 · Score: 0
  
  God help us if all their processors don't use the same endian layout #Swift.
2. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by samazon · 2012-04-09 05:43 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  There are so many reasons I avoid Apple products (#1 being, I don't actually NEED a graphic design/video editing/print layout computer or other iGadget) and this has just been added to the list right underneath the idolatry thing.
  
  --
  I have the hiccups.
3. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by maccodemonkey · 2012-04-09 05:48 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Spoiler alert: All the platforms have their idiots.
4. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by TheNinjaroach · 2012-04-09 06:20 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  My roommate was telling me about some rather amusing quotes he read with regards to Android Instagram. Our favorite:
  
  Android has Instagram? Well that does it. Prepare to be flooded with pictures of ramen noodles and food stamps.
  
  --
  I went to eat some animal crackers and the box said, "Do not eat if seal is broken." I opened the box and sure enough..
5. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by um...+Lucas · 2012-04-09 06:21 · Score: 2
  
  Sigh... I remember back when slashdotters LIKED Apple and looked forward to new releases from them.
  http://apple.slashdot.org/story/02/05/13/1245241/preview-of-mac-os-x-102
6. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by samazon · 2012-04-09 06:23 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  The problem is, it isn't isolated idiots. I have friends who are not "idiots" who are genuinely offended that "their" app is now available for use by people with Android phones. It's an Apple elitism that I, for one, refuse to be a part of. Some of my favorite tech bloggers swear by Apple (one even worked for them) and I don't hold it against them that they enjoy using and having the products, nor do I engage them in arguments/discussions about why I don't buy Apple products. The day that I absolutely need a Powerbook, iMac, iPod, iPhone, or iDon'tKnowWhatElse, is the day that I'll buy one, and not a moment sooner. Generally speaking, the people who use Apple products because they need them and not because of the Apple Cult of Personality are the ones who are the isolated (non-idiots) who don't think that they're better than everyone else because they spent half their paycheck on what amounts (for most people, again not including the class of people I am currently referring to) to a toy.
  
  --
  I have the hiccups.
7. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by maccodemonkey · 2012-04-09 06:27 · Score: 1, Insightful
  
  I commonly see Android users who are genuinely offended that Google is releasing their apps for iOS as well. Yet a double standard is applied to iPhone users that they're the snobby ones.
  Heck, Android users calling Apple part of a "Apple Cult of Personality" and "idiots" is a little snobby, don't you think?
8. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by teh31337one · 2012-04-09 06:29 · Score: 1
  
  I said "iPhone idiots", not all iPhone users or w/e. That's an assumption you made yourself.
9. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 06:39 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  i don't typically go all grammer nazi but isn't it supposed to be iDiots?
10. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by Cederic · 2012-04-09 06:45 · Score: 2
  
  OSX did make me seriously consider switching to Macs. Then Apple went all controlling and I just don't like that.
11. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by thesandbender · 2012-04-09 06:46 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Yes... but everyone knows Apple revolutionized idiots and everyone else is just copying. (lovingly posted from my iMac)
12. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by teh31337one · 2012-04-09 06:49 · Score: 1
  
  Spot on. My mistake.
13. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by stretch0611 · 2012-04-09 07:02 · Score: 1
  
  Spoiler alert: All the platforms have their idiots.
  Yes, but apple has the best kind of idiots, the ones that have enough money to afford the cost of apple's products.
  
  --
  Looking for a job?
  Want your resume written professionally?
  DON'T USE TUNAREZ!!!
14. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by samazon · 2012-04-09 07:05 · Score: 2
  
  Sure it is. In my experience - as in, among the people I know - the ones who talk about how awesome their phone/tablet/etc is... are Apple users. I know some people who really like their Android phones, but none who get so pushy about how great their phones are as the iPhone users I know. Just by my experience.
  
  And also, when referencing my above post, you should know that I don't own a single gadget with an Android or Apple OS on it. I've used both, I keep both in mind when finishing products at work, but I am not a user (of any smartphone - because my cell phone is for calls and texts, and my computer is for everything else).
  
  The only Apple users who are idiots are the ones who spend money that they don't have on stuff that they don't need in order to "keep up with the Joneses."
  
  --
  I have the hiccups.
15. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by maccodemonkey · 2012-04-09 07:07 · Score: 2
  
  Sure it is. In my experience - as in, among the people I know - the ones who talk about how awesome their phone/tablet/etc is... are Apple users. I know some people who really like their Android phones, but none who get so pushy about how great their phones are as the iPhone users I know. Just by my experience.
  One only has to wander over to the Engadget comments section for any article related to Android or iOS.
  
  The only Apple users who are idiots are the ones who spend money that they don't have on stuff that they don't need in order to "keep up with the Joneses."
  Again...
  
  Heck, Android users calling Apple part of a "Apple Cult of Personality" and "idiots" is a little snobby, don't you think?
16. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 07:11 · Score: 0
  
  I commonly see Android users who are genuinely offended that Google is releasing their apps for iOS as well. Yet a double standard is applied to iPhone users that they're the snobby ones.
  Heck, Android users calling Apple part of a "Apple Cult of Personality" and "idiots" is a little snobby, don't you think?
  Proof is where? Obvious troll is obvious.
17. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 07:14 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  I thought instagram and iphones were big in artist circles. Instagram should already be full of pictures of ramen noodles and food stamps.
18. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by toriver · 2012-04-09 07:20 · Score: 0
  
  Android users aren't snobby. When they tell you that the fix for your issues with a given Android app on your handset is to "buy a Nexus" they are just being friendly.
19. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by RotateLeftByte · 2012-04-09 07:24 · Score: 0
  
  So I'm an idiot then?
  I switched to a MacBook nearly 5 years ago. I found (And still find) Windows was just getting in my face. Then there were the AV progs like Norton etc who seemed to slow down my machine at every opportunity.
  Moving to OSX (I have a Unix/Linux background) was a breath of fresh air.
  I've recently had to start using Windows again in a new Job. Windows 7 and Server 2008 are headbangingly frustrating.
  I have to admit the Server 2003 is about the best OS to come out of Redmond but everything since then.... Well forget it. They just get in the way. You are not in control of your system. Microsoft is. They define a set of rules that are nigh on impossible to get around. This makes my job harder. Even working with LPARS on zOS is easier than the POS that is Windows.
  Don't even get me started on Windows 8. They have really lost it. FWIW, Canonical have done the same with Unity so Microsoft are not alone here.
  Now for a raft of downvoting even though I've been writing software for 40 years this month.
  
  --
  I'd rather be riding my '63 Triumph T120.
20. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by CrackedButter · 2012-04-09 08:02 · Score: 2
  
  Yes you are an idiot if you're going to give them the time of day with a response, why bother. I speak as a Mac user.
  
  --
  Jonathanjk.com
21. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by AngryDeuce · 2012-04-09 08:13 · Score: 1
  
  I liked Apple back before the iDevice bullshit. Now they're just expensive fashion accessories it seems. I mean, I've heard people make fun of each other because one of them had the last generation iPhone for fuck's sake. When you hear a 17 year old say "What is that, an iPhone 3GS? How's it feel to be poor, loser?" you realize that they're not devices anymore but status symbols.
  I know that there are many Apple users out there that aren't stupid like that, but unfortunately, they're not the ones blathering on about Apple all day and night, and the last goddamned thing I want is an excuse for one of those people to start talking to me. God forbid it breaks and you have to go to the Apple Store (where those people live); I'd rather hammer nails into my toes.
22. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by AngryDeuce · 2012-04-09 08:21 · Score: 1
  
  As compared to the pithy "Should have bought a Mac!!" that I hear from Apple users in response to almost any PC problem I've ever had? Because Apple PC's never, ever have problems, am I right?
  I can understand that Apple users may get an unfair shake when it comes to snobbery and elitism, but I've met far, far more "Cult of Steve" types than any other. I haven't heard such animosity since the Sega Genesis/Super Nintendo rivalry of my middle school days, but at least we had the excuse that we were kids, not fully grown adults.
23. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by sourcerror · 2012-04-09 08:31 · Score: 0
  
  What is that you want to do on OSX and can't do on Linux? I mean, you go to Windows for games and engineering applications, you go to Linux for programming/servers . But why OSX? What is the niche it fills?
24. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 08:39 · Score: 0
  
  I commonly see Android users who are genuinely offended that Google is releasing their apps for iOS as well. Yet a double standard is applied to iPhone users that they're the snobby ones.
  Heck, Android users calling Apple part of a "Apple Cult of Personality" and "idiots" is a little snobby, don't you think?
  Really? Can you give an example? I can't even think of a single app that was released on Android and later ported to iPhone.
25. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 09:01 · Score: 0
  
  Did a 17 year old make you cry?
26. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 09:02 · Score: 0
  
  Heck, Android users calling Apple part of a "Apple Cult of Personality" and "idiots" is a little snobby, don't you think?
  People were saying that long before the days of iPhone and Android, you know.
27. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by thesandtiger · 2012-04-09 09:04 · Score: 1
  
  I don't get people who feel like some part of an in group because of which company they gave their money to. Fortunately I don't know any people who are like that (or, at least, are willing to admit they are like that) so I haven't had to have an awkward conversation with a friend wherein I explain that they are a choad for being the kind of person who gets involved in platform holy wars.
  Really, the whole thing reminds me of the way very small children will become enraged when one person doesn't like the same things they do - it's almost as if these people believe that by having a different need case than they do you are somehow repudiating their entire way of being. Immature to say the least.
  
  --
  Since I can't tell them apart, I treat all ACs as the same person.
28. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by Cederic · 2012-04-09 09:27 · Score: 1
  
  Back when it was released, it was a good UI on a Unix desktop OS, with good commercial software support.
  Since then, Linux has improved considerably. Windows still has the PC gaming market though.
29. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 09:45 · Score: 0
  
  I commonly see Android users who are genuinely offended that Google is releasing their apps for iOS as well. Yet a double standard is applied to iPhone users that they're the snobby ones.
  That's a new one for me. Most Android users don't have a sense of entitlement nor snobbery. While I'm sure it does exist, such notions fly in the face of the Android platform.
  
  Heck, Android users calling Apple part of a "Apple Cult of Personality" and "idiots" is a little snobby, don't you think?
  Hardly unique to "android users." I think if you check, you'll find the majority of the non-Apple world, plus some minority of Apple users, feel its also true.
  Honestly, no idea what the hell you're going on about.
30. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 09:45 · Score: 0
  
  I commonly see Android users who are genuinely offended that Google is releasing their apps for iOS as well.
  Bullshit.
31. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by Jaro · 2012-04-09 09:45 · Score: 1
  
  It is.
32. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by toddmbloom · 2012-04-09 10:13 · Score: 0
  
  I dunno. Spend five minutes browsing Google+ and you'll find some special brands of Android zealot idiots.
33. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by toddmbloom · 2012-04-09 10:20 · Score: 0
  
  Those kind of people are few and far between, though -- at least, that's what I hope is the truth.
  
  I use Apple products because I like them - it doesn't mean I don't like Windows. I honestly don't see Microsoft in competition with Apple since the invent of Intel Macs. Apple makes hardware, Microsoft makes software - two different things.
  
  It all comes down to using what you like best - who cares what other people do. If you like something, use it.
  
  (Google, on the other hand, I despise - but for other reasons then products. That's another issue, though! :))
34. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 11:28 · Score: 0
  
  Dude! Totally!
  
  Where's this iPhone: Slashdot's First Post app already! we need to post before the android people EW!
35. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 15:34 · Score: 0
  
  You didn't state a single real reason why Mac OS X is superior or why Windows is inferior. Except vague claims of "they get in the way".
  You're just another retarded fanboy.
36. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by broseidon · 2012-04-10 01:08 · Score: 1
  
  I thought instagram and iphones were big in artist circles. Instagram should already be full of pictures of soy lattes and fixer gear bixes.
  FTFY
37. Re:Wonder how iPhone idiots will react to this? by toruonu · 2012-04-10 01:32 · Score: 1
  
  I love OS X and for one particular reason. Namely you get essentially full Unix system with shells and stuff AND a perfectly working graphical environment. Now you may possibly start to claim that Linux can do that. However having had Linux on the side since 1996 (some office comps still use Linux for various reasons and we've gone through around 6 different distros and various versions over time) I can tell you that it couldn't be further from truth.
  The one thing about OS X is that it just works and adding stuff is truly simple. You can either go to Mac App Store and get it from there in just a few clicks if the developer has added it or you download a DMG from the net, double click it to mount and drag the app to Applications or wherever you want. Only very few applications have installers that you have to run through, but they are mostly 2-3 click ones. This ease of use is far simpler than even Windows and Linux comes nowhere even close no matter how hard you try to find such a simple method. Especially if you want something from outside the default distro and have to start haggling the dependency versions...
  The second part that for me is absolutely uncanny is the ease and invisibility of Time Machine. We have two Time Capsules in the office (concrete walls with iron in it as it's a soviet era physics lab so we've distributed the area to make sure everyone gets a decent signal). Whoever gets to the office and opens the laptop automatically has backups every hour or so without noticing anything as it runs in the background over the wifi. The first time setup was basically selecting the time capsule in time machine preferences and entering the access password. And I've gone through one 100% loss disk failure myself (used laptop in a bus for 4h and drive gave up due to bumpy road, now prefer SSD's) and some other colleagues have had disks swapped for various reasons. The basic way it works is that you bring your upgraded/fixed laptop to the office, boot it up and select that you want to restore from time machine. After a few hours the laptop boots up and everything is exactly as it was (every single setting, shell histories, MySQL histories, everything). You just continue to work as if nothing happened.
  So ever since I've used OS X (since around 2005) I've been able to spend a lot more time actually working, not having to worry at all about the OS at any time. And I do use the Unix component a lot as I write code that analyzes huge amounts of data in one of the CERN experiments as well as manage a 1PB / 1200 core compute cluster at our datacenter.
  So overall the answer to your question about what I can do on OS X that I can't do on Linux is probably to get a pleasant working experience and more work hours spent on working. Yes I can set up Linux to a semi decent backup and I can get it to work in graphical interface and get software installed, but it won't be seamlessly integrated into the rest of the workflow and it for sure won't be as fast and easy. Heck before conversion to Mac I had my Linux laptop configured with experimental swsusp and automated scripts for wifi detection and what not to get it to work seamlessly everywhere, but it never really worked that well. I know this has significantly improved, but Linux is still lightyears away from getting to where OS X is today in allowing comfortable easy use. And I prefer to apply my intellect doing the actual work, not to hacking and customizing my laptop.
Suuuure... right now by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 05:35 · Score: 0

You can't be independent by simply declaring it will remain independent. You aren't independent. You own the business. That is not an "independent" relationship, no matter what PR spin you say today.
1. Re:Suuuure... right now by alexander_686 · 2012-04-09 05:44 · Score: 2
  
  Context is important.
  Sometimes when companies are bought they are absorbed completely. Brand names are dropped, software works well with parent company but no other, etc. It’s like when Apple bought a little computer company called Next. Want support for that old Next computer? Not so much – buy a Mac instead.
  On the other hand, sometimes the brand is left “independent” in the sense that the parent’s brand is not stamped all over it. And it sounds like they are not requiring you to open a FaceBook account to continue to use Instagram. Now, will the two share data? Yeah, I am sure.
2. Re:Suuuure... right now by IntlHarvester · 2012-04-09 08:09 · Score: 1
  
  Actually, Apple sent me a free copy of OpenStep 4.2 to ensure that my cube was Y2K compliant.
  
  --
  Business. Numbers. Money. People. Computer World.
nosense by vlm · 2012-04-09 05:36 · Score: 2

We plan on keeping features like the ability to post to other social networks, the ability to not share your Instagrams on Facebook if you want, and the ability to have followers and follow people separately from your friends on Facebook
None of that makes any financial sense. I'll bet 5 internets on a 2:1 basis that within a year "instagram" is merely the name of the icon replacing "take a picture" inside the facebook app and all of the instagram social media stuff is merged into facebook.
Its a pity, I was almost getting around to installing the android app, but now its like, why bother.

--
"Science flies us to the moon. Religion flies us into buildings." - Victor Stenger
1. Re:nosense by jeffmeden · 2012-04-09 07:27 · Score: 2
  
  We plan on keeping features like the ability to post to other social networks, the ability to not share your Instagrams on Facebook if you want, and the ability to have followers and follow people separately from your friends on Facebook
  None of that makes any financial sense. I'll bet 5 internets on a 2:1 basis that within a year "instagram" is merely the name of the icon replacing "take a picture" inside the facebook app and all of the instagram social media stuff is merged into facebook.
  Its a pity, I was almost getting around to installing the android app, but now its like, why bother.
  Considering Instagram's "niche" is a low-res photo with a shitty filter, replacing the Facebook photo functionality with ANYTHING remotely like this is probably enough to make Facebook useless to an even larger contingent of the general public. Some people prefer, you know, SEEING what they just took a picture of...
2. Re:nosense by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-10 04:23 · Score: 0
  
  You give facebook users FAR too much credit.
Is Slashdot broken today? by readandburn · 2012-04-09 05:40 · Score: 5, Funny

This news is from earlier today, not from last week. I'm worried that Slashdot may be abandoning its roots.
1. Re:Is Slashdot broken today? by Bill+Hayden · 2012-04-09 05:46 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  Our apologies... We've scheduled a dupe for next week to rectify this problem. --The Management
  
  --
  Protect your browser with the Force Safe Search add-on
2. Re:Is Slashdot broken today? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 06:48 · Score: 0
  
  That would be the third posting so that makes it 'Tripe'.
Account removal by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 05:40 · Score: 3, Informative

In order to delete your Instagram account, please visit our Account Removal page:
https://instagram.com/accounts/remove/request/
Seems obvious to me... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 05:41 · Score: 0

If people won't opt-in to give you their location data, won't use Facebook Places (or whatever its called) to tag themselves and their friends, then what's the solution? Buy up and mine all that data in users' picture data. This makes perfect sense when you consider their face matching algorithm. Instagram as far as I'm aware is heavily used for "pictures on the fly" not necessarily the kinds you upload into photo albums on Facebook. Now any time anyone takes an Instagram photo at a random place; say walking out on the street, Facebook will be able to record where you were and when... and that goes for anyone else who happens to have wondered into your camera's view.
Not Enough Time To Care by RapidEye · 2012-04-09 05:43 · Score: 2

Since it only came out on Android, I haven't had a chance to really care about it.
No problem uninstalling it as I type this.
Oh, and congrats to the guys that made it - sure got their payday!

--
"Murderer? Well, that's a harsh word. I prefer to think of myself as a Mortality Technician."
I am willing to work in Mathlab till my death by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 05:53 · Score: 0

For 1bil, I am willing to sit on my ass all day long and write filters in Mathlab.
Bubble? by chrisl456 · 2012-04-09 05:55 · Score: 1

Nope, no bubble here! All photo filter apps are worth $1,000,000!
</sarcasm>

--
-chris
1. Re:Bubble? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 06:02 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Y u no understand powers of 10?
2. Re:Bubble? by chrisl456 · 2012-04-09 06:09 · Score: 1
  
  Wow. I even double checked it. That's what I get for posting right after waking up.
  
  --
  -chris
What's cooler... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 05:55 · Score: 5, Funny

What's cooler than paying a million dollars for a useless hipster app?
Paying a BILLION dollars.
1. Re:What's cooler... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 15:14 · Score: 0
  
  yep, and with this incident i was forced to believe mayan calendar
Disturbance in Skinny Jeans by ThatsNotPudding · 2012-04-09 05:56 · Score: 3, Funny

And I felt a million hipsters cry out in non-ironic pain, now with no online shelter from their mothers.
1. Re:Disturbance in Skinny Jeans by pankkake · 2012-04-09 06:40 · Score: 1
  
  Actually they were already crying because it is no longer exclusive to iOS.
  
  --
  Kill all hipsters.
Business Model by CuriousGeorge113 · 2012-04-09 06:01 · Score: 3, Insightful

1. Build a simple app.
2. Generate a substantial user base.
3. Make facebook feel threatened.
4. Profit!

--
No man is an island, But if you take a bunch of dead guys and tie them together, they make a pretty good raft.
1. Re:Business Model by thomasw_lrd · 2012-04-09 07:01 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Wait, are the early 90's back?
  1. Build a simple app
  2. Generate a substantial user base
  3. Make Microsoft feel threatened.
  4. Profit.
  
  --
  21st Century Renaissance Man
2. Re:Business Model by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 10:54 · Score: 0
  
  Microsoft usually spread enough FUD before you could actually complete step 2. During the 90s they didn't have to spend billions of dollars acquiring every little start-up since any rumors or leaks from Microsoft about soon having a similar product were generally enough to nip things in the bud. It didn't work for everything, but it worked for a lot of things.
3. Re:Business Model by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 14:22 · Score: 0
  
  1. Build a simple *
  2. Generate a substantial user base
  3. Make Apple feel threatened.
  4. Profit for your lawyers
What's all the fuss about? by treeves · 2012-04-09 06:14 · Score: 1

I installed Pixlromatic for Android before Instagram became available for Android, and I 've used it maybe twice.
I don't get what all the fuss is about.

--
...the future crusty old bastards are already drinking the Kool-Aid.
1. Re:What's all the fuss about? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 07:45 · Score: 0
  
  It's a simple, elegant app for sharing photos. No BS. No ads. The filters compensate for what would otherwise be (and still are with precious few exceptions) very boring photos. The biggest draw for me is that I only share with about three or four good friends. Facebook is a wasteland of religious propaganda, and baby pictures, and photos from last night's trip to the bar. I can post things to Instagram that would somehow seem... pretentious to post to Facebook. As for the price, the user base is worth a lot. Not $1B though.
2. Re:What's all the fuss about? by 21mhz · 2012-04-10 21:13 · Score: 1
  
  Facebook is a wasteland of religious propaganda, and baby pictures, and photos from last night's trip to the bar. I can post things to Instagram that would somehow seem... pretentious to post to Facebook.
  You probably have not been selective with who your "friends" are (and the scariest part is, they can kill you for unfriending them :)). I only check Facebook every few days now, but my friend feed still has enough interesting things to read. Also, there is nothing I would share on any online service that would feel too snobby for my Facebook friends. I use Google+ circles mainly to spare people the postings that would be utterly irrelevant to them.
  But Instagram? Sharing photos that have been pretentiously shittified and cut to a square shape? Why?
  
  --
  My exception safety is -fno-exceptions.
they absolutely think people are stupid by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 06:20 · Score: 1

"the ability to not share your Instagrams on Facebook if you want"
just because you arent posting it to facebook doesnt mean you arent sharing it with facebook in the end
Patents? by edmicman · 2012-04-09 06:25 · Score: 2

Anything? Does Instagram have any sort of lock on "Implementing digital image filters on a mobile phone" or something that would explain a $1 bil valuation? Seeing how there's a ton of ripoff apps I wouldn't think so but you never know. Couldn't Facebook have made something in-house and have it automatically Just Work for their existing users, most I assume who are a cross section from the Instagram users?
1. Re:Patents? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 06:33 · Score: 0
  
  Making the app is easy, it's making the users that's the hard part.
2. Re:Patents? by toriver · 2012-04-09 07:32 · Score: 2
  
  No, I have at least five others on my iPhone: Hipstamatic, Plastiq, Infinicam, Lo-mob and Fusioncam. Instagram's claim to fame was the (largely Facebook-driven ironically) community functions.
3. Re:Patents? by Idbar · 2012-04-09 11:33 · Score: 1
  
  My same thoughts. I wonder if Adobe doesn't have some of these but didn't feel the reason to come after them. Now that 1b is on the table, maybe is time for all image processing patent holders to show up for the cake.
instalam.er by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 06:32 · Score: 0

instalam.er
I felt something by squidflakes · 2012-04-09 06:59 · Score: 0

As if millions of hipsters cried out in pain, and then were suddenly silent.
1. Re:I felt something by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 07:11 · Score: 1
  
  If the app had enough users to be this valuable, hipsters should have already moved on because it has become too mainstream.
2. Re:I felt something by Reasonable+Facsimile · 2012-04-09 07:50 · Score: 1
  
  As if millions of hipsters cried out in pain, and then were suddenly silent.
  Why did the hipster burn his mouth on the pizza?
  Because he ate it before it was cool.
Equallity? by chinton · 2012-04-09 07:27 · Score: 4, Insightful

So, 1 Instagram == 800 AOL Patents?
1. Re:Equallity? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 07:49 · Score: 1
  
  Your error is in assuming the prices reflect the value.
Shit. by tburke261 · 2012-04-09 07:40 · Score: 2

Source- http://tmblr.co/ZIw7uxJNDWSA
I’m going to go out and say it. I’m tired of Facebook acquiring startups I like. While I haven’t been a huge Instagram user, I use it a few times a week and appreciate the simplicity, design, functionality and community of the application. Unlike some I know the Android App launch didn’t bother me, the more platforms the merrier-I’m certainly no iOS snob. In fact, instagram is one of the few things that kept me from switching to Android (iTunes, Genius and iMessage among them).
It’s just a hunch, but I think that the feel of Instagram will degrade with Facebook. The simple sharing options will become encumbered by the confusing and needlessly complicated sharing and privacy options Facebook offers. Going from an app that does only one thing well to getting sucked up into the Facebook ecosystem won’t turn out well. Those that choseInstagram expressly because they don’t like Facebook will leave. Yet I still have to say congrats to the guys at Instagram, $1 Billion for a couple years work and only 8 employees at last count is phenomenal.
Maybe I like my separation, but I am no fan of the new Social Sharing/Reader feature, and you won’t find my Netflix, Hulu, Spotify or 4 Square accounts connected to Facebook. I keep it as a necessary evil, for those old friends I occasionally want to keep in touch with. For me the Google+ sharing model is worlds better, but G+ has no hope of success without a community behind it, and I still see no reason to visit it regularly.
Instagram won’t keel over in 6 or even 12 months, but I think those that truly appreciated it, the early adopters and the hardcore ‘iPhone Photographers’ will eventually leave indisgust. I could be wrong.
What do you think?
1. Re:Shit. by CrackedButter · 2012-04-09 08:08 · Score: 1
  
  I'm just telling everybody on Instagram now that I'm dumping it.
  
  --
  Jonathanjk.com
So, have Yahoo's lawyers filed a lawsuit yet? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 08:00 · Score: 0

Waving a billion dollars at IP lawyers is like waving a red cape at a bull, methinks.
I don't get it by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 08:44 · Score: 0

What is the advantage of Instagram? It seems a little bit like Lightbox, but with lower-quality pictures.
LOL @ Gowalla people that went to InstaGram by Heretic2 · 2012-04-09 08:59 · Score: 1

OK, so, I know some people that were at Gowalla when Facebook acquired them. Some of them bounced to InstaGram. Well, gratz to them, their option values just went through the roof, but now they're back with golden handcuffs to stay at Facebook where they didn't want to be in the first place.
I'm glad by Anonymous Coward · 2012-04-09 09:06 · Score: 0

Glad I kept my Polaroid, that is.
Bubbly by slasho81 · 2012-04-09 09:26 · Score: 2

Does Instagram make any money?
Thanks facebook! by sliderr · 2012-04-09 09:26 · Score: 1

...for making my life simpler. I now I have absolutely no incentive for installing instagram!
1. Re:Thanks facebook! by bhodikhan · 2012-04-09 11:49 · Score: 1
  
  There are lots of apps like Instagram. No great loss. Plastic Bullet mangles photos on IOS just fine for me.
2. Re:Thanks facebook! by Swampash · 2012-04-09 15:23 · Score: 2
  
  The photo filters are a gimmick to get people to play with the app. The social functions are where Instagram's real value lies. Photo sharing with friends from PCs is what made Facebook the juggernaut it is today, but this is the post-PC era, and Facebook is shit on phones. Instagram on the other hand is awesome. Instagram doesn't even have a desktop interface for the network, that's how mobile-centric it is.
  So, Instagram is:
  A. An Internet social network (what Facebook does), and;
  B. Awesome on phones (which Facebook isn't), and;
  C. Based around social sharing of photos (that thing that made Facebook huge).
  The acquisition seems pretty sensible.
Wow by alexander_686 · 2012-04-09 09:46 · Score: 1

O.K., that fact is kind of cool, and it's nice to know that Apple did not just abandoned the NeXT people.
But I think my point still stands – Apple quickly dropped the brand and integrated the NeXT engineers into Apple’s team (or was it the other way around?). As a counter point, look at when Tata Motors took over Jaguar. They kept the brand and engineers mainly in place. While they expect some cross pollination between the engineering groups, I am guess that not of British engineers will be working on the next 1 lakh car, or vice versa.
What was instagram? by goombah99 · 2012-04-09 10:10 · Score: 1

I never used instagram because it seems like it was just a photocropping/tinting gimmic. Okay so it had "the social" too. But really what was special about instagram besides the nostaligic cropping?
There's only about 30 million downloads of instagram so there are probably about 1 million people still using it. that's 1000 a customer, for people who probably were already Facebook customers.
I think facebook bought this just to foreclose some other social netowrk from forming around this.

--
Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
1. Re:What was instagram? by penguinchris · 2012-04-09 21:15 · Score: 1
  
  The draw was that it's its own social network focused exclusively on snapshots. You may be on to something that Facebook bought it to stifle further growth of the social side of Instagram, now that it's available on Android.
Instagram thru the web? by jabberw0k · 2012-04-09 11:44 · Score: 1

OK so a friend of mine has an Instagram account and wants me to "follow" him, but I cannot see how to sign up with just an ordinary web browser on a normal computer. Instagram's website is no help. Anyone?
1. Re:Instagram thru the web? by Swampash · 2012-04-09 12:48 · Score: 1
  
  Nope. Mobile-device only.
Two words: by __aaltlg1547 · 2012-04-09 12:43 · Score: 1

Drunken Sailor
A genuine hearty lol by AbRASiON · 2012-04-09 13:32 · Score: 2

Now all the hipsters fucking up their photos with utterly stupid filters can share them easier on facebook!
I mean we are talking about the internet elite here aren't we? The same idiots who said (and I quote) "ew" regarding Android users using their service.
https://www.google.com.au/search?q=iphone%20user%20backlash%20over%20android%20instagram&hl=en&meta=#hl=en&sclient=psy-ab&q=iphone+user+backlash+over+android+instagram+-facebook&oq=iphone+user+backlash+over+android+instagram+-facebook&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=serp.3...12799l14431l0l14564l10l10l0l0l0l0l433l1937l0j2j5j0j1l8l0.frgbld.&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=58b7f9b5dc851469&biw=1528&bih=759
Honestly, I cant' think of 2 groups better suited to hang with each other, it's utterly perfect. Elitist Apple idiots with terrible taste in photography and narcissists.
Why now? by Flector · 2012-04-09 16:33 · Score: 1

I suspect that the reason Facebook is buying Instagram now is that once they go public, they won't have the ability to arbitrarily add shares.
Photography, video editing. by jotaeleemeese · 2012-04-09 19:08 · Score: 1

Nothing in Linux/Windows comes remotely close.

--
IANAL but write like a drunk one.
1. Re:Photography, video editing. by sourcerror · 2012-04-09 20:19 · Score: 1
  
  Adobe's stuff is pretty good on Windows, although I haven't tried the OSX exclusive stuff. What I heard is lately Apple has abandoned the pro grade videoedting features in Final Cut to target the masses.
I doubt it by yabos · 2012-04-10 01:35 · Score: 1

They probably use CoreImage on the iPhone which is all Apple's work. You can use the built in filters or provide your own "kernel" that is some C code that gets executed on your image data.
How this actually happened... by DarthVain · 2012-04-10 03:18 · Score: 1

Mark Z: "I'll BUY your Instagram iPhone app for a MILLION dollars!"
Dramatic pause with pinky finger to side of mouth...
Instagram: laughter.
Second in command at FB with a eye patch: Whispering (a million dollars isn't actually a lot of money in 2012)
Mark Z: "I'll BUY your Instagram iPhone app for a BILLION dollars!"
Dramatic pause with pinky finger to side of mouth...
Instagram: GASP!