What’s Your APPtitude? Short videos on the iPhone

Featured, Say it Rah-shay By Jul 03, 2013 No Comments

Throughout my day as library chick and my evenings as social media gal I use a variety of tools to document my happenings. I Instagram (take an instant photo of) the activity or create a quick Tout (a 15 second video ) of the action. A few months ago when Vine came on the scene I started using this as my primary visual on social media.

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Last week Instagram introduced short videos to its service which puts it into competition with Vine and t

he other services I use. I got the free upgrade for Instagram and decided to put all of the videos to the test to decide which ones are the best for what I need for work and personal and which ones will get deleted from my phone.

I created a video for a work feature, What are you reading Wednesday using all four apps. Here are the results. 

 

 

Instagram:

Link to video: http://instagram.com/p/bSk2HgFJ09/

App store description: Customize your photos and videos with one of several gorgeous and custom built filter effects. Transform everyday moments into works of art you’ll want to share with friends and family.

My words: take an instant photo (and now video) of your life. Create a mood for the photo with different filters.

Pro

Great way to instantly share something that you are doing.

More popular. The What are you Reading video was uploaded at the same time. As of this post I have four “likes” and one comment. Not a huge response but, frankly, more than on the other videos combined.

The ability to edit your work. Instagram has a feature that allows you to edit the videos that you create in case one part if not quite right.

The option to choose the thumbnail. This may seem like a small thing but I love that I can choose how my photos appear in the stream.

Con

The app is really buggy and will either shut down and crash during uploading videos or freeze when attempting to make a video. I deleted extra pictures and apps and the apps seem to work better.

 

Vine:

App store description: Vine is the best way to see and share life in motion. Create short, beautiful, looping videos in a simple and fun way for your friends and family to see.

My take: Short six second videos that are looped.

r’s note: My use of Vine was before the update on 7/3.

 

Pro:

I love the stop motion.

I appreciate that my videos are saved to my photo library.

Con:

I will fully own that I am biased and really, really, really like Vine. That said, I would like the option to edit my videos. 

 

 

Tout:

App store description: Tout is a real-time information network for up-to-the-minute video updates across news, sports, politics, entertainment, or whatever moves you.

My take: short videos to give a brief view of what you are experiencing at that moment in time


Tout was the first social media video that I used. I like the idea of being able to respond by video using Tout, I like that it is 15 seconds to get your message across.

Pro:

The ability to change camera angles while making a video

The ability to upload video from your camera role.

Tout gives you an option to save the video you have created to your camera roll. If the video is too long it will select a clip from the longer videos.

Con: 

No ability to edit your video

I have difficulty navigating the app and finding users.

Keek:

App store description: 50 million users love Keek! It’s the fastest, easiest way to watch, record & share video updates on your iPhone.

My take: Longer (35 second) videos to give a quick view of what you are experiencing at that moment in time.

Jul 3, 2013 | It’s Wednesday! What are you reading? #summerreading #books #reading by sayitrahshay on Keek.com

 Pro:

Longer videos. At 35 seconds there is enough time to share your moment without feeling rushed.

You may add videos from your photo library.

Cons:

Videos can only be shot in one direction. Keek does not allow the camera direction to be changed.

Also, while filming if you stop for any reason there is no way to add to your video.

 

Not used: Shortwave

App store description: Shortwave is a fast and fun way to post, reply, and vote on topics using short and seamless video messages. Share stories with the world — or just your friends.

My take: Videos conversations to share thoughts on different topics.

 Shortwave reminds me of pass the plate. A topic can be floated around from person to person. 

Pro:

Passing topics around is nice. I like the video responses from people. It’s like a progressive story, everyone has a part.

You can add video from your library.

Con:

There is no way to edit video and shots can only be forward facing or away from yourself.

 

I really enjoy using all of the different “social videos. At this point Instagram seems to bethe mopst popular for my friends but I love Vine. For work I am partial to Vine or Tout and have been making myslf use Keek, well because sometimes book talks need a little more meat.

Want to see more of my videos?

Follow me!

Instagram

Keek

Tout

Vine (no link but find me as Rachee)

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What say you?

What is your ‘APP’titude? What social video apps do you like?

 

 

 

Author

I am mom, daughter, sister, yarn lover, word lover, crazy cat lady and library chick. Find me with book or with hook and a hot cuppa.

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