I loved using Instagram on my iPod Touch, and have patiently waited for it to show up on my Android. I think there are a few things at work that make Instagram

I loved using Instagram on my iPod Touch, and have patiently waited for it to show up on my Android. I think there are a few things at work that make Instagram so popular. First, it is incredibly simple to use, including the filters. I'm also pretty sure it came along pretty early for this kind of application and was timed just right to handle the rise of smartphones, Facebook and Twitter. Back to the filters. There are lots of people who love (and hate) those filters. I like the filters, but always take an unfiltered photo, then crop and sometimes use a filter in Instagram. In terms of the filter haters, I guess that shows that it's better to have a group of people that love your product and some that hate it, rather than a whole bunch of people who are just "OK" with it. The API has also boosted Instagram's success, with YC's jazzychad and stammy producing picafight, among other apps. The Instagram team just managed to produce something that got people's attention and build a community around it. It's not easy and requires some luck. With continued luck, they'll figure out how to monetize all that traffic. Shameless self promotion -- yours truly in the NYT on Instgram: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/technology/personaltech/20basics.html?pagewanted=all http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/technology/personaltech/20...