[Video] Instagram bites Snapchat, announces Instagram Direct
A few months ago, Instagram took a bite out of Vine by introducing Instagram Videos over the summer. While the feature hasn't caught as well or virally as Vine has, it was a definite response to the growing popularity surrounding Vine and its creatively hilarious six second format. Now, it appears Instagram is taking a swipe at both Twitter and Snapchat with this morning's announcement of Instagram Direct.
Similar to Snapchat, Instagram users can now send private photos and videos to individual friends or a group of friends. Upon receipt, it will let the sender know when the recipient has seen the media, again, the way Snapchat works. However, unlike Snapchat, the media doesn't disappear, taking away from Snapchat's voyeuristic flashes of time. Furthermore, Instagram Direct media only works for mutual followers or requires approval from people you don't follower, which is similar to Twitter's DM system. In fact, Instagram's announcement comes off the heels of Twitter's announcement yesterday that allows adding photos to DMs.
Personally, I see no use for Instagram Direct. If you want to send a photo or video to specific friends, why not just text it to them instead of going through a third-party application? Sure, there might be some followers whose numbers you might not have, but if it's something that serious, why not just get those digits anyways? Instagram Direct honestly feels like nothing more than a direct reaction to the growing awareness and popularity of Snapchat. Will it be enough for you to delete Snapchat?
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[via Instagram]
VSCO Cam Has Arrived For Android Users
When it comes to mobile photography, there are a ton of apps out there that offer many features and filters when it comes to photo editing. Some are better than others, and depending on your preferences, you might have a favorite app you use for editing your photos. I myself always use VSCO Cam when it comes to editing the photos I take because of the different editing tools and presets. I not only like it as an editing tool, but I like that they offer a feature called VSCO Grid where I can create a gallery for my mobile photography all through the app. Up until now, only iOS users were lucky enough to use VSCO Cam, but that has changed as the app has been made available for Android users, too. If you're looking for a great photo editing app, I suggest that both Android and iOS users check out VSCO Cam. For more information, head over to the official announcement page here.
[Via VSCO]
Make Life Easier With The Revolv Home Automation Hub
If you want your home completely automated and don't want to lift a finger to change the thermostat, turn off the lights, or lock the doors, then the Revolv Home Automation Hub is definitely for you. Instead of having multiple apps for multiple devices, the Revolv Home Automation Hub lets you control everything in your home with one single app. "The hub automatically connects with all your devices (it supports Z Wave, WiFi, and Insteon." The hub does all the work for you and makes it a breeze to set up your home, so if you're in the market for something like this, head on over to the Revolv website.
[Via Revolv]
Nike Unveils The Nike+ Move
When it comes to winter, it's easy to just throw on some sweatpants and hibernate all the way through until spring. The cold weather makes it harder to be outside, and it makes it easier to skip out on the gym. With the Nike+ Move, it makes it a little easier to remain active and defy the urges of being a couch potato all winter long.
The app is free and exclusively made for the iPhone 5s, tracking every movement you make so you can earn more NikeFuel points. The app gives you detailed graphs and charts, relaying information about the days you were most active and where you moved the most, along with peak times of exercise, as well as the type of movements you did. If you need some motivation to exercise or just want to monitor your workouts during the winter months, go and download the free app.
[Via iTunes]
Tweetbot is a good alternative to the Twitter app
If you need something new from the standard Twitter app on your iPhone you might want to check out the updated Tweetbot app. Coming in at $3.00, the app comes with an updated design look that blends in very well with the new iOS7. They also made it very simple to tweet about what you had for lunch or what you're doing at the present moment. With the new update, it takes fewer swipes to check people's profiles and conversations, as well as keeping some of the older features like customization and muting functionality. If you are in need for a new Twitter app and want to tell the world what you're thinking, go ahead a check out Tweetbot.
[Via Uncrate]
[Video] Nike Unveils the Nike+ FuelBand SE and the Nike+ FuelBand App
Nike has finally unveiled its second generation of Nike+ FuelBands in New York this week. The FuelBand SE is now coming out in three new neon colors and can even be connected to your phone via Bluetooth. It is water resistant and now able to monitor yoga movements as well as monitoring your sleeping habits.
Nike also introduced the Nike+ FuelBand app which will display activity levels throughout the day. This app is geared towards fitness, so with the improvements come more tracking of your fitness stats and sharing your progress with friends for bragging rights. As a heads up to all those that own Andriods, the app is currently only for iOS users. If you're looking to get more active and want to keep track of your progress, or if you just want something to tell time, the NIKE+ FuelBand might be for you. Check out the video below for more.
[Via Highsnobiety]
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