Instagram today brings Instagram Direct, a new way to send photo and video messages to friends. The feature allows Instagram users to share their images or videos to only to a smaller group of people - up to 15 people at a time. Instagram has added a the option to share a picture with followers or to send to specific people ("Direct"). After sending, users will be able to find out who's seen their photos or videos, see who's liked it and watch their recipients commenting in real time as the conversation unfolds.



Photos and videos that users receive from people they follow will appear immediately. If someone they're not following sends them a photo or video on Instagram, it will go to their requests so they can decide if they want to view it.

Instagram for iOS version 5.0 is available today for download in Apple's App Store, and Instagram for Android version 5.0 is available today on Google Play. Instagram for Windows Phone is in beta.

With 150 million active users, Instagram has grown quickly since its launch three years ago.