Support for Twitter “Cards” Disabled
In a move that will more than likely push the two tech giants further apart, the smartphone app Instagram turned off a feature on Wednesday that allowed easier photo viewing for Twitter users.
In a statement, Instagram said it had turned off support for Twitter “cards”; a feature on Twitter that allows Instagram’s photo’s to be easily embedded and viewed directly within a Twitter message. By Wednesday, Twitter users discovered that their Instagram photos did not display correctly on Twitter’s website.
Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom, said that the company decided that users should view photos on Instagram’s own web pages.
“We believe the best experience is for us to link back to where the content lives,” Systrom said in a statement.
This move likely reflects more profit for Instagram, from web based advertising within its site. The potential to make money from Instagram’s 100 million users is too good of an opportunity to pass up.
“A handful of months ago we supported Twitter cards because we had a minimal web presence,” Systrom said, noting that the company has since released new features that allow users to comment about and “like” photos directly on Instagram’s website.
Systrom also noted that users will still be able to share photos on Twitter in the same way, before the Twitter Cards implementation.
Back in September, when Facebook completed its acquisition of Instagram, the photo sharing company has since been distancing itself from Twitter. Instagram first rose to stardom with the help of Twitter, but now it’s clear where its loyalties lie.
Just last month, Instagram gave Facebook a spin and rolled out online profiles, allowing people to show-off pictures taken with the smartphone application. Users will be able to share profiles with whomever they wish, and “follow” other Instagram users. They may even comment or “like” the photos.
Facebook CEO, Mark Zucker expressed enthusiasm for the merger back in April; stating on his blog:
“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.”
Are you upset by the latest changes? Leave us a comment below and tell us what you think.
Rhett Dail
Rhett is the founder and Editor in Chief of GeekMagazine. He became facinated with technology and gadgets after joining the Washington DC IBM PC users group back in the early 1980's. Since then, he has been building and running many popular online services and news sites. Over the years he has become more passionate about technology, gadgets, and the future of technology. He loves keeping up with lastest trends with gadgets and technology. Technology is moving at a great pace and as it does, Rhett will make sure that you know about it.
