Pinterest launch Android and iPad app

The virtual pinboard site has been ringing in the changes recently, much to the delight of its users, and this move will further add to the sites popularity with the greatly requested Andriod app.

Android users will be thrilled by this news after being ‘very vocal with their requests for an app’. Pinterest have ensured a job well done by designing the app to be fully functional on both Android tablets and phones, allowing users to spend more of their time productively on the site. This news will be similarly welcomed by Kindle Fire owners who can download the app from the Amazon Appstore later this week.

As well as addressing the need for an Andriod app, Pinterest have simultaneously released their iPad app, which they believe may be ‘the best Pinterest experience yet’. This is because the app makes it even more effortless to discover and pin new material. Furthermore, it has always been part of the vision of Pinterest as the sites co-founder, Evan Sharp, has recalled witnessing Steve Jobs demo of the iPad and realising that “Pinterest would be used [like that] sometime in the future”. According to the Pinterest blog post, the app will also offers new ways to engage with pins through the ‘embedded browser’ and swipe screen feature, which returns the user to the main screen. Whilst the iPad app has just been created, Pinterest have updated their existing iPhone app to allow users to see more pins in a more efficient 2 column layout.

Part of the aim behind these apps is to allow users to go out and do the things they love, inspiring them to later contribute to the site. By having it in the form of an app, users will be able to utilise the site when and wherever they feel. It is expected this will increase usage of the site and possibly even see a growth in the number of users. This may increase even further with hints that Pinterest will be working on an app for Windows mobile platforms.

Becoming a force in the mobile market may have another consequence in leading to further brand engagement. With already 51% of the top 100 global brands on their site, this is destined to rise. The brands must follow where the users go to maintain their status and Pinterest is often the perfect platform to showcase them. The creation of new categories will also suit these brands as it becomes even more crucial to their social media marketing work.

Overall, these new developments at Pinterest represent clear steps they have taken to address the needs and requests of their users. Maintaining a clear line of communication and stressing how invaluable the Pinterest community of users is, has really endeared people to the site. It must also be noted that Pinterest has risen to these impressive heights by working with existing social networks, not shunning them. A lot could be learnt from the examples Pinterest are setting.