Mobli is launching a new version of its photo- and video-sharing app, pushing into the next generation of this competitive space with a new feed of stories that’s integrated with Facebook and Tumblr, a new way to auto-edit uploaded photos, and filters specific to cities and other locations.
Although it’s going up against competitors ranging from Instagram to Vine, the Israeli and New York company is in it for the long haul. It has previously raised $22 million, fielded some big acquisition offers (we hear), and added up 5 million registered (albeit not monthly) users.
Mobli has been busy hiring lately, too, with the new iOS app (iTunes link) being an early result of its expansion. As I covered in my sneak peek last fall, the company has HTML5 for a native app due to performance limitations. If the Android (to be released in a month or so) will be anything like the iOS app, their money is being well spent on the device-first focus.
First off, the app is significantly faster and more responsive than previous versions — immediately noticeable with the new redesigned main ‘feed’ screen. User-to-user messaging is now baked-in, saving users from having to jump over to Facebook to search and contact others. New Tumblr integration should also find welcome arms among users. Improvements to hashtag-suggestion and search have also been made.
This brings us to where Mobli has always shone… filters and effects. To begin with, Mobli now has an ‘Auto-Filter’ feature that analyzes every photo’s colors, brightness, contrast, contents and composition, and applies the filter it feels is most suited for the image. Users can of course chose other filters (there are nine new ones) and effects, but the suggestion is a nice addition. This is on top of my favorite UX feature where instead of having to access the camera roll, the last three photos taken are offered on the bottom of the camera screen.
Finally, with the new version Mobli also beefed-up event and location based filters. For example, Mobli can offer specific filters for Paris or New York City, while at the same time offering particular ones for venues such as the Louvre, or Madison Square Garden. Event-specific filters are relevant for music concerts, for example, and larger events, say, New Years Eve.
The company only has a placeholder site up so far, but it does tell us that its “A.I.” will be able to analyze a Twitter feed and can use it to understand your “likes, tastes, [and] syntax.” Based on that information, it will be able to, ostensibly, follow current news, events, and trends, and then tweet like you would be tweeting had you not, unfortunately, stopped living.
Before you pass on you’ll be able to test out your _LivesOn feed and judge how close the posts are to your tweets and how much you like your new, computer-generated personality. After the feed is adjusted it seems like — we’re still waiting on details — you’ll hibernate the account. Then, after you die, your executor will be able to manage your account.
The company’s site doesn’t mention this, but it seems like the Twitter handle for your posthumous account could be [YourTwitterHandle]_LivesOn, which, if true, is rather unsettling. That said, given the company’s slogan — “When your heart stops beating, you’ll keep tweeting.” — the DeadPerson’sName_LivesOn joke is right on cue.
As expected, Sony today unveiled the PlayStation 4, which executives said represents a shift from thinking of the PlayStation as a simply "a box or console" to simply the best place to play games.
Oddly, Sony did not actually show the PS4 at its two-hour event in New York City this evening, saying only that it will be available in time for the 2013 holiday season. Pricing was not mentioned.
"PlayStation 4 will unleash imaginations to create next-gen experiences that surpass gamers' wildest expectations, while also allowing developers to explore other business models," Andrew House, president and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, said at a launch event. The PS4 is "founded on a conviction that we must give gamers the kind of multi-dimensional experiences they expect and observe."
A few new features have been added to the controller, including a touchpad, share button, headphone jack, and a lightbar for simpler, more friendly identification of players. A second peripheral, meanwhile, is a stereo camera that can sense the depth of objects in front of it.
That Share button will let players broadcast their games to Facebook in real time, said David Perry, CEO and founder of Gaikai, which Sony purchased last year. That will allow your friends to "look over your shoulders virtually and interact," he said. Friends can post comments on your screen, but if you're stuck on a level or need assistance, a friend can actually take over your controller and guide you through a level.
