Instagram"s founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger told TechCrunch that an Android version of the application is coming "really soon" when talked to at SXSW earlier today. The app is definitely getting close to launch, despite the on-going rumours of whether or not the Android platform would get the app. On stage, Systrom pulled out a Galaxy Nexus running a prototype of the app and flashed it at the crowd. He then said:
"It"s one of the most amazing Android apps you"ll ever see and in some ways, it"s better than our iPhone app."
The app is currently in private beta, and the team hopes "to have it out to people really soon." The Android app is apparently very fast, responsive and renders itself on larger screens just as effectively as it does for smaller screens. Functionality with Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, and other social networks will also work just as well as the iPhone version.
Additionally, Systrom confirmed that Instagram has grown to over 27 million registered users which is almost double the 15 million announced back in December 2011. The growth seemed to sky-rocket when Apple highlighted it as the app of the year.
We"ll give you a heads up when the Instagram is available for Android.