14 DAY TRIAL // Last year, Google set up Area 120 incubator, where employees were given the possibility to spend 20% of their time working on projects other than their regular tasks. Google believed that this incubator would empower employees to become more creative and innovative.
The incubator seems to have paid off as Google employees have just released a new application that helps people watch YouTube videos together with friends. Surprisingly, the app is only available for iPhones for now, but an Android version is expected to arrive soon. It’s unclear if a web version will be developed, though.
Social app Uptime requires users to sign in with their Google account and connect with friends. Then they can watch YouTube videos together in real time and use lots of neat features in the meantime.
React and comment on videos streaming from YouTube
The app is quite entertaining, as avatars of all friends who are watching float at the edges of the video, with messages displayed below them. There’s the option for users to write comments and get replies from multiple friends that are watching.
In addition, the Uptime app gives users the possibility to pick from multiple reaction emojis to express their emotions, including laugh, disapproval, sadness, love and surprise. The application provides its users with daily recommendations of YouTube videos from friends and people they follow. It also has a search bar for discovering videos.
Undoubtedly, Uptime offers an exciting alternative to sharing and enjoying YouTube videos while in a social context and some of its core features could eventually transition to other Google apps. Uptime also has a lot of potential, as it could expand to offering live streaming or a new way of watching full-length movies or shows with friends. Creating a playlist with specific videos would also bring friends together, even if not in the same room.
