Instagram announces its own collage Layout app

Instagram steps it up a notch

Instagram just made a whole lot of Instagrammers happy campers. They announced their new layouts app that will allow you to combine multiple photos into a single image. Many Instagram users are already using a similar third-party app, but having a built-in version will be super helpful. The Layout app is currently for iOS users only, with the Android version being rolled out in the next month.

Instagram stated on their blog, when you open the Layout app, you can automatically see previews of custom layouts, while you select photos from your camera roll. They also have a way to make it easier to find the photos you want: the Faces option.

This option shows you all the photos in your camera roll that feature people. Once you have your photos selected, you can drag and drop to rearrange, pinch to zoom, or pull the sides of each photo to adjust its size and get your layout just the way you like it. Another bonus feature of Layout is that it offers a “Photo Booth” button that allows you to capture moments while inside the app. When you tap the button, Layout starts a countdown timer and then captures a group of photos that will automatically appear in a layout.

The new app is long overdue

Use the new Layout app to create a visual storyline by sharing multiple moments from an adventure, or just a few favorite shots from a night out. Either way, the Layout app is something Instagram has been missing. It does make you wonder what else Instagram is developing.

Perhaps a built-in chat box like Facebook? Maybe. But for right now the Layout app is pretty neat. As I mentioned before, there are several third-party apps that offer Instagram layouts, here are a few options if you want something that goes above and beyond what Instagram is offering.

For Android, two of the more popular options are Photo Grid and InstaFrame. Photo Grid has over 100 million fans. You can use it to create collages and decorate them with customized filters and stickers. You can also add text and share them across all your social media channels. InstaFrame helps you combine your photos creatively with frames, text, and stickers to make great-looking multiple photo collages. InstaFram also allows you to share them on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Tumblr.

Worth a look even if you’re using a collage app

For iOS, two of the more popular options are InstaCollage and Pic Stitch. Both of these apps give you the ability to filter, decorate and share your customized collages with friends across multiple social media channels, just like the Android options.

Even if you’re already use a third-party collage app, Instagram’s own Layout app is still worth a look. I like it just for the Photo Booth option, but I suspect when they roll out the Android version a few more features may come with it.

#InstagramCollage