instagram

With Instagram, any boring photo is only a crop, filter, and tilt-shift away from becoming a piece of art.

Some might argue that such laziness through filtering discourages true photographic creativity, but there's no denying the Internet's obsession with the photo social network. If anything, it's a satisfying break from Facebook.

Even though it's only available on the iPhone (for now), many businesses have cropped up to provide services that augment what Instagram offers. From Stitchtagram pillowcases to photo magnets, there's no shortage of Instagram paraphernalia.

As a person who appreciates the printed photograph, here'… Read more

If you were still wondering whether the iPhone had made a significant mark on society, news that London's Kensington and Chelsea College has a course offering students the ability to learn iPhoneography (the art of taking photographs with your iPhone) should be enough to answer the question.

The new evening course will be entirely devoted to teaching students how to snap photographs on their iPhones, send them to various post-production processing apps, and create stunning pictures, according to a report by the BBC.

Richard Gray, the instructor for the course, claims that, "with the right apps and skills, … Read more

Facebook may dominate the social media landscape today with 845 million users, but experts say that instead of consolidating around the market leader, the social media landscape is fragmenting, leaving big opportunities for startups, especially those targeting mobile users.

This could be good news for entrepreneurs and investors who might be green with envy over Facebook's projected $5 billion gain from its upcoming initial public offering. But for consumers, it means that managing Facebook, Google+, and Twitter accounts is just the beginning.

Fred Wilson, a venture capitalist and principal at Union Square Ventures, discussed this notion of a more … Read more

The Foodspotting app, available for both iOS and Android platforms, lets you find good dishes in your area and share marvelous plates of food with others.

Foodspotting is like Foodily without the recipes. Or Instagram solely for meals of food. In fact, you can connect your Instagram account to Foodspotting, and Instagram photos tagged with #food or #foodspotting will show up in your Foodspotting feed. (Maybe I need to wait longer for the two to sync, but the Instagram photo I tagged with the #foodspotting tag has yet to show up in my Foodspotting feed.) The app lets you upload … Read more

In the span of weeks, a friend of mine who shall remain nameless (but goes by the initials Elinor Mills) has become completely addicted to the photo-sharing app Instagram. The world has become one big Instagram photo opp for her as she points her iPhone at flowers, friends, train tracks, oil-slicked sidewalks, and anything else in her path--and still tries to get some shut-eye now and then.

Happily, I've come upon Stitchtagram, a service that makes custom handmade throw pillows from Instagram photos, and now feel confident that Elinor can stay close to her beloved app even while she rests up between Instagram shoots. … Read more

It's Tuesday again, and this time we are prepared.

On today's show, code in iBooks 2 points to possible Retina Display iPad; Casio does something other than make keyboards; our favorite people on Earth, analysts, comment on the upcoming year for Netflix; and we have a couple guesses about who Anonymous will attack next.

Also next week, or maybe the week after, is Humiliation Day. You know what's different about this Humiliation Day? For once, Karyne isn't the big loser. If you have any Humiliation Day ideas for Emily, or if you have any ideas about … Read more

The wife of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and the co-founder of Instagram are among the notable guests for tonight's State of the Union address by President Obama.

The presence of Laurene Powell Jobs and Instagram co-founder Mike Krieger signals that at least a part of the State of the Union will focus on technology, which President Obama has long argued can help improve the country's fortunes.

Releasing the guest list for the State of the Union address has increasingly become a way for the White House to call attention to an issue or initiative, using an individual … Read more

There are a ton of image-editing apps that add effects to your images, but what about video?

Anyone who uses an iPhone 4 or 4S knows the smartphone takes great-looking video, but your options are limited with the Apple app when it comes to adding effects. Don't underestimate the value of adding effects, either: a good effect can turn a mundane subject into a great video.

This week's collection of iOS apps is all about adding effects to your videos. The first two have social components that let you share your completed videos and follow other users. The last is more specifically for adding effects, but is lacking when it comes to social components (and that may be exactly what you're after).… Read more

Keeping up with his reputation as the first "Internet President," Barack Obama got in on the popular photo-sharing app Instagram this week.

The account is run by Obama 2012 staff members, who encourage users to share photos from the campaign trail using the hashtag #Obama2012.

So far, the account has posted three photos and gained more than 24,000 followers. … Read more