Instagram Testing Standalone 'Direct' Messaging App

Instagram is testing a standalone messaging app called Direct, reports The Verge. The app opens directly to the camera similar to Snapchat and is launching today in Chile, Israel, Italy, Portugal, Turkey, and Uruguay.

Once you install Direct, the Inbox disappears from the main Instagram app and can only be accessed from the messaging app.

“We want Instagram to be a place for all of your moments, and private sharing with close friends is an important part of that,” said Hemal Shah, an Instagram product manager. “Direct has grown within Instagram over the past four years, but we can make it even better if it stands on its own. We can push the boundaries to create the fastest and most creative space for private sharing when Direct is a camera-first, standalone app.”




The new app consists of just a few screens. The first screen is the camera view from which you can pull down to compose a message. To the left of the camera is your profile screen that lets you access settings, switch accounts, and navigate to other Instagram areas. To the right is your Inbox.

We'll let you know if the app becomes available in more countries. Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates.

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