Meta employees are going "full steam ahead" with a dedicated Instagram app for iPad, with internally testing already underway. (via Cult of Mac - A 24/7 website publishing the latest Apple news, rumors, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

The Information's Kaya Yurieff and Kalley Huang in April reported that Meta was working on a long-awaited Instagram app for iPads. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman corroborated the report in his Power On newsletter today. Gurman said that Meta employees are "actively testing" Instagram for the iPad, and he expects the app to be released this year, barring any setbacks. Meta has offered a Facebook app for iPads since 2011, but it had largely avoided offering apps for the device otherwise. That tune finally seems to be changing, as the company released a WhatsApp app for iPads last week, and there are now multiple sources who have claimed that an Instagram app for iPads is in the pipeline too. There is no…

Instagram today launched Edits, a video editing app that fills the void left by the removal of the ByteDance-owned CapCut app earlier this year. CapCut was pulled from the App Store when TikTok was, but it has not returned. Just after CapCut was removed from the ‌App Store‌, Instagram announced that it was working on Edits, but it has taken several months for the app to be ready to debut. Edits is made for creators, and it can be used with Instagram or other social media apps like TikTok. Edits is designed for video creation, and it has a full suite of tools for filming videos, editing, and adding effects like AI-powered animations and cutouts. There's a section for keeping…

In a petty move, Meta blocks access to Apple Intelligence's Writing Tools feature across its apps on iPhone and Mac. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Instagram seems to be testing locked reels that require viewers to enter a keyword or a code to be able to see the hidden content. It's a feature that creators could use to increase engagement or to share content with their most loyal fans. TechCrunch noticed that the Instagram Design account recently shared a locked reel with a hint provided to unlock the reel. Entering the code displays an animated banner with the "coming soon" wording, which seems to reference the Instagram Design team's announcement that it will soon have a Threads account. As noted by TechCrunch, a creator could share a locked reel that requires a specific word to open, for example, providing a hint that only a follower…

After a 15-year wait, Instagram could finally get around to releasing a native iPad app, as it looks to capitalize on TikTok's troubles. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)