Vero is not new to this game and has in fact been around since 2018. However recently, it’s popularity has suddenly spiked among the photography community tired of Instagram’s relentless attempts to focus on reels and video rather than photos. So, what makes Vero work where Instagram doesn’t anymore?
No AI
Yes, Vero doesn’t use any AI or ML to “suggest” posts to you, which most often than not are useless. You only see posts from people you follow, or hashtags you manually search for.
Chronological Feed
Your app’s homepage is filled with posts from the people you follow, with the most recent ones being at the top, and the older ones appear as you scroll down. This makes it very convenient to keep track of posts.
High Quality Zoomable Images
Instagram was notorious for not giving proper full screen images. Vero allows you to do just that. Also, you can pinch to zoom and enjoy the details of the image. Vero utilizes minimal compression, so your photos look much more detailed than they did on Instagram.
Proper Desktop & iPad App
Yes, a dedicated, built from ground up, desktop application and not just a web wrapper like Instagram. Not that there is anything wrong with web apps if they do the job we expect- which Instagram’s webapp fails to do- and miserably so. And it’s available for both PC and Mac
Vero’s desktop app, downloadable from their website, is a beautiful application that mirrors the way it appears on your phone or iPad- which reminds me- they have proper iPad app too – something which Instagram never did.
It remains to be seen if they decide to bring the desktop app to Windows store, but for now you must download it from their website. The app is a joy to use on the large screen of your monitor. Even if it’s just your laptop, it’s still bigger than what your phone offers. One drawback remains here is that you can no longer zoom into the images here. But since it is still in beta, i am willing to let that pass.
Say Yes to Panoramas! — and other aspect ratios
Yes! You can upload your images in whichever aspect ratio you desire, including panoramic ones- horizontal, or vertical! How crazy is that?? No more stupid square boxes to fit your wide pictures into Instagram. This is another something you enjoy better on your desktop because of the full screen experience. The pictures are just ‘pure joy’ to look at, especially if you have those fancy 4K ones.
I am still new to this app, and yet I am enjoying it a lot. It definitely feels more connected and engaging than i ever felt on Instagram. These were my initial thoughts, not all of them. I would like to use the app for a few more weeks before i write a detailed experience review. In the meantime, what do you guys think?
Let me know in the comments, or on my vero or instagram.
Peace!
✌️