Instagram update includes new filter, better camera

An upgrade to Instagram adds a new filter, Willow, which the app maker describes as "a monochrome filter with subtle purple tones and a translucent glowing white border."

Instagram fans rejoice: the app's camera is getting its largest upgrade since last year's major revamp. A new filter, Willow, has also been added. 

Instagram shared the news on its blog today, including further details of the app's camera improvements: 

• Instagram-themed shutter & shutter release button.
• A preview of the most recent photo on your camera roll.
• Improved Camera Roll image selector (iPhone 5 only) for quick access to your last photograph.
• Optional grid guide for live photos and a permanent grid guide for the scale & crop screen.
• Speed and reliability improvements.

It also gave a single example of the Willow filter, described as "a monochrome filter with subtle purple tones and a translucent glowing white border." Instagram recommends Willow for portraits, still life and architecture photographs with contrast.

The latest version of the app for both iOS and Android also includes improvements to the app's blur and tilt-shift options, larger images in the News Feed, infinite scroll on user profiles and other grid views and Foursquare integration.  Users of the iOS version also see filtered photos saved to a separate album called “Instagram” in the camera roll.