Instagram has accidentally leaked that it’s planning to launch a thunder strike against Snapchat with a new “one tap photo messaging” app of its own called Bolt.
A banner announcing the new messaging app was accidentally posted for some users on Android to see last night, but was taken down about 15 minutes after it appeared. The Free link button on the banner directed users to the Google Play Store, but the page was not available.
What is this, @instagram? #bolt pic.twitter.com/orbOIDU215
— Richard Groves (@englishinvader) July 24, 2014
As Snapchat’s popularity has risen over the past year as number of competitors have risen to challenge the sexting app turned messaging service. Facebook tried to vanquish it with its standalone Poke app, while Instagram added Instagram Direct. Both had limited success.
If Bolt is en route, it will mark the second botched app launch in the two months for the company. It’s new messaging app, Slingshot, was leaked a week before it was actually available on the App Store. Facebook did manage to launch it’s celeb app, Mentions, without a hitch, but failed to impress an 83 year old William Shatner.
Via: The Verge
Buster Hein is a freelance writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Twitter: @bst3r.
