All posts in category App Focus

App Focus #3: Thumb

In this weeks App Focus, we are delving into Thumb, a real-time opinion poll.

thumb logo

credit: thumb

Formally known as “Opinionaided”, Thumb is a social network driven by the purpose of helping other users out. Originally developed as an opinion based shopping aid, Thumb has grown to encompass questions of all categories with a strong community of supporters now connecting with each of other to deliver sound advice.

Questions are based on a ‘thumb up – thumb down’ method, however there is also a box in which the user may write a response to the question. Good advice may be rewarded by the poser of the question, who can mark your responses with Gold Stars if he/she feels you contributed to the question well. Gold Stars act as a validation of the user ultimately – when a user has earned sufficient stars in a particular category, they are credited as a ‘Top Advisor’. It’s a neat system and I found myself finding getting hooked on answering questions.

Screen shot of thumb profile

Hunting for Gold Stars

Perhaps what is most impressive about Thumb is the speed of the responses when a question is posed. To give an accurate and slightly mind blowing idea of the speed to which a question is answered: immediately before starting this paragraph I posed the question “Excited for Star Wars 3D or should they just leave it alone?”. At the time of writing this sentence there have been 84 votes and 16 comments…

Screen shot of thumb

Responses are quick... really quick

Users can link with other users who responded to their questions, this can turn into full on discussions or a simple ‘thanks’. If someone routinely seems to be helping you out, you may request them as a friend. By having friends on the network you can target your questions specifically to them, this again adds a level of recognition to the quality of their advice.

Thumb is a great service that can provide hours of entertainment as well as some legitimately useful advice. I did encounter a few annoying questions, especially in the technology category with people just badmouthing one company whilst praising another, but these questions can be breezed past quickly and do not particularly take away from the experience.

Thumb is available now on the App Store and the Android Market.

About these ads
Leave a Comment
by TheJW on February 4, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in App Focus, Social
Tagged , , , , ,

Posted by TheJW on February 4, 2012

http://social-gadget.com/2012/02/04/app-focus-3-thumb/

App Focus #2: Path

Following on from last weeks look at Flipboard, this week we’re turning our attention to Path; the personal social network.

Path logo

Credit: Path.com

Path is an iPhone/Android based social network with a difference; it’s about sharing your information only with those nearest and dearest. Resultantly, the cap on the number of friends a user may share with is a rather modest 50. While ultimately how privately you reveal your life on the more major social networks is up to you, on the whole users tend to share with more people than they would perhaps like – this is the root of Path’s appeal.

Path is presented as a series of “moments” where you can share photos, movies, thoughts, location, what song you’re listening to, and more. Each of these moments builds your life’s “Path”. If this all sounds very familiar that’s because it is. This is no bad thing however as Path isn’t about doing something new, it’s about doing what you would normally do, but not telling the whole world about it. What’s more, the presentation is truly beautiful.

Path Screen shot

A stunning interface based around what is dubbed the ‘Chooser’ makes navigating Path a joy. See the video to get a real feel for how the app works.

Path – Introducing Path 2 from Path on Vimeo.

As well as looking gorgeous, Path has some ace features. If you move town, Path will automatically update your new location (if you allow it) and it also boasts some great photo filters similar to those found on instagram.

Should you choose, you can share your updates to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Foursquare. Personally, I feel this defies the point behind Path, and whilst ultimately you could theoretically use it as a client for updating, it’s far too limited to become a replacement.

Path is a great app – the ethos behind it, it’s slick implementation and gorgeous looks are all definite perks, however I cannot help but feel that it would benefit strongly from having an online aspect also. If each user could have a unique URL which lead to an HTML version of their Path, it would allow it to be shared with those close who are unlikely to have a smart phone (Grandparents and such)

Is adopting a new personal social network something that appeals to you or would you rather just vet your currently existing sites? Let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook page

Leave a Comment
by TheJW on January 22, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in App Focus
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by TheJW on January 22, 2012

http://social-gadget.com/2012/01/22/app-focus-2-path/

App Focus #1: Flipboard

Welcome to the latest component of Social Gadget – App Focus, where we take a weekly look at the most interesting, useful, fun, quirky and generally just great social apps available. This week, we’re looking at Flipboard.

Image representing Flipboard as depicted in Cr...

Image via CrunchBase

Flipboard creates a digital magazine tailored for you from the information you wish to view. This includes full integration from your twitter, Facebook and Tumblr feeds along with a number of image based sharing sites/apps including instagram. In addition, Flipboard has cleverly set up deals with a great many publishers to share their content as well, allowing you to select your interests from a wide range of sources. Niche journals such as National Geographic, Rolling Stone and Glamour magazine, right up to your run off the mill newspapers such as The Guardian all have content to be viewed should you so chose.

It is the way content is viewed that is spectacular though.

flipboard screenshot showing flipboard picks

flipboard image showing twitter feed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Articles, tweets and photos are displayed magnificently; really bringing the content to life. By ‘flipping’ between pages you view your feeds and can favourite posts to receive similar content in the future. If interested in a particular article or photo simply click it to read it in full. The delivery is flawless and really adds something to each posting. By being connected to your social networks you can post, comment, ‘like’ and ‘retweet’ articles all from within the app at the touch of a button which is a really neat addition.

Providing a new and fresh way to view the material that matters to you most is always welcomed. Flipboard handles this sublimely making it definitely one to check out!

Flipboard is available free for iPhone and iPad on the app store.

1 Comment
by TheJW on January 14, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in App Focus, Social
Tagged , , , , , , ,

Posted by TheJW on January 14, 2012

http://social-gadget.com/2012/01/14/app-focus-1-flipboard/

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.