Instagram has finally released its Android app with a “Get it on Google Play” link on the Google MarketPlace. According to Instagram, the app now brings “Fast, beautiful photo sharing experience for Android (News - Alert).” 

Kevin Systrom, CEO of Instagram, had said that the Android app for Instagram users would be coming soon. At the SXSW last month, he mentioned that their Android app would “in some way be better than Instagram’s iOS app.” Instagram’s iOS app debuted in October 2010 and became ‘iPhone (News - Alert) app of the year’ for 2011. It had hit 1 million users in just 3 months.

The new Android app will run Android 2.2 and Instagram has promised it is packed with rich features that include front and back camera support, a photo-editing feature, custom-designed filters and borders and Instant sharing on popular social networks. The app includes a list of snapshots on the Android MarketPlace.

The app is able to access your camera making it possible to collect images and videos. By using GPS, the app is also able to determine your location where available. By creating network sockets, the app also has full internet access.

Access to personal information has also been allowed making it possible to read contact data on your phone and tablet. It is also able to delete and modify your USB and SD card content with your permission. If you would like to prevent your device from sleeping or retrieve information from currently or recently running tasks, the Instagram Android app will be able to do that.

Repeatedly, likely due to the privacy snafu facing Path, Instagram warns that malicious apps are also able to do all these things with bad intent. The app requires users to give it permission to access local resources. Instagram Android app does not currently offer Flickr support but the company says it is coming soon.