Instagram announced back in December 2019 that it was bringing its web app to the Microsoft Store. The move from Facebook’s own OSMeta platform to a web app brought with it many advantages, including the ability to update it easier, since most changes could be done on the server-side. The Facebook-owned service began testing Direct Messages on the desktop website back in January, which would eventually make it to the web and the Windows 10 app.
Today, the firm is announcing that Instagram Direct messages are now available to all users on the web. The feature lets users receive and send DMs to their contacts right through the web. Since the Windows 10 app is also essentially the same web app, the ability is rolling out to the Windows 10 app as well. Since it is a PWA, no updates are required as the change is a server-side flip.
*Sliding into your DMs*
— Instagram (@instagram) April 10, 2020
Now you can get and send Instagram Direct messages on desktop, no matter where you are in the world 👍 pic.twitter.com/CT2SwuxHTv
The company has tried to mimic the features present on the mobile platform by bringing the emoji keyboard button and the ability to add photos to conversations. The Direct Messages icon is now placed on the top navigation, right next to the Home icon. The icon will be familiar to users that use the app on mobile devices.
The addition of DMs would be a welcome addition for power users and business account holders who can now use the desktop or web app to manage interactions with followers. It is interesting to see the social media giant add more features to the web versions of its offerings, and bring more apps to the desktop, such as Messenger.
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