The perks and frustrations of Pinterest for Android

Pinterest took its sweet time creating mobile app versions of its popular pinboard website, and I wish I could say it was worth the wait. Theres certainly advantages to an official Pinterest Android app, but there are also some limitations compared to the full-fledged website (which can still be accessed via mobile devices) and the mobile-optimized website version of Pinterest.

Pinterest app perks

Lets start with the perks of the Pinterest Android app. The best feature, and one thats exclusive to the mobile app, is the ability to create pins from your Android devices camera. Once you log-in youll see an option right at the top to Create a Pin, where youre given two options: you can take a photo with your device camera, or upload one from your gallery. This makes it easier to combine your real world experiences with your Pinterest boards, as you can pin locations, store items and more. I even hope to see a barcode scanner incorporated into this feature one day, as it could automatically pull in product details and operate more like the Pin It browser button.

Another great feature is the option to browse by category, which are pre-set on Pinterest. This includes tech, fashion, home design, weddings, sports, food and more. Of course, you can also search by tag word, which will help you explore Pinterest beyond the boards youre following. And unlike the mobile-optimized web version of Pinterest, the app lets you browse more than one pin at a time, though its not as broad as the full web site version.

Download the Appolicious Android app

Finding and following friends is also an easy task on the mobile app, and manageable, too. If you pull up your followers tab, youll see a list of all the Pinterest users following you. From here you can follow them back or unfollow those youre in which youre no longer interested. Your following tab works in the same manner.

Missing app features

Whats lacking with the Pinterest app is the ability to select which board your new pin goes to, or the ability to create a pin via URL, which is where most pins come from. Even on the mobile-optimized web version of Pinterest, adding a pin via URL isnt an option. While its cumbersome to manually enter a URL on a mobile device, itd be nice to have the option (I know how to copy a link), especially since Pinterest doesnt offer a workaround for pinning directly from your mobile browser.

More surprisingly, theres no options for creating or managing boards on the Pinterest app. Similarly, pins cant be edited either. While Pinterest is a great way to save items youd like to reference in the future, its also a great organization tool, so without board and pin management, the Pinterest app offers little functionality beyond browsing existing pins and adding a photo from your devices camera.

Other differences between the mobile web and app versions of Pinterest include filtered search. Though the app offers categorized browsing, the mobile web version lets you filter searches by those youre following, pinned videos, popular pins and those tagged as gifts. And with the full mobile web version you do still have the option to add a pin via URL, even if it takes an extra step or two from a mobile web browser.