Instagram Update Features Camera Redesign and New Filter

Instagram today launched its 3.2 upgrade, which includes the newly released Willow filter and a camera makeover that improves both the look and speed of in-app picture taking.

The camera redesign is a welcome change, adding features like quicker access to the Camera Roll for iPhone 5 users, a better layout of the Camera Roll image selector, a rule-of-thirds grid for taking live shots, and an Instagram-themed shutter and shutter release button.

Instagram's new Willow filter is monochromatic, with hints of purple and a white border. Previously, Instagram's only monochromatic filter was Inkwell, which produces a standard black and white photo.

The app's tilt shift function received an update, with a new blur algorithm that improves the quality of tilt shift photos, and a number of other small improvements have been added:

-News Feed redesign that's easier to digest, in addition to larger images.
-Beautiful new welcome screen design.
-Infinite scroll on user profiles and other grid views.
-Filtered photos are now saved to a separate album called "Instagram" in the iOS camera roll.
-Foursquare button on location pages that opens the Foursquare application, or mobile website, with details about the venue.

Instagram's update comes as the company is involved in an ongoing dispute with Twitter. Last week, Instagram removed Twitter Card support, which prevents Instagram photos from being displayed as previews in Tweets. During his talk at LeWeb on Dec. 5, Kevin Systrom explained the decision.

"We're working on building an awesome web presence, which we just launched. We revamped our web properties, and now we're able to staff up teams to work on web properties with the Facebook acquisition."

Rumors have also suggested that Twitter is planning on implementing its own photo editing capabilities, including photo filters, in the coming weeks.

Instagram is a free app for the iPhone that can be downloaded in the App Store.