Thwapr for iPhone [iTunes link], the startup's first product targeted at end users as opposed to brands, enables users to easily capture and share videos and photos with friends on any mobile phone, or via Twitter and Facebook. Recipients can then view and add comments, or share their own video and photo responses via mobile browser, web or the app.
Videos shared via the app are geo tagged, and iPhone 4 owners can capture and edit video in portrait and landscape mode using the front or back camera. The application even supports background uploads for those running iOS 4.0 or higher, so users can switch apps while their content is being uploaded to Thwapr.
The iPhone app makes for a convenient way to share long-form video, a previously arduous task for mobile videographers. Thwapr, however, is focused on the bigger picture of removing existing barriers to sharing videos on mobile phones, according to CTO Eric Hoffert.
"From our user testing, we see people posting videos that are typically a few minutes long," he says. "These are videos of fun events –- a band playing on the streets in Assisi, Italy, a turtle flipping over and back again, a dog catching a Frisbee. Anywhere from 15 seconds, to perhaps three to five minutes."
"We don’t want to limit users to 10 seconds like Path does –- or as 12seconds.tv did for their Twitter video concept. It should be more natural to share video. We do have limits like any product, but we plan to keep pushing the boundaries," says Hoffert.
Mobile photo sharing is exploding thanks to emerging services that make the experience both fun and seamless. If mobile video sharing is to experience the same boom, startups will need to build solutions that remove friction from the upload and share process. Thwapr appears to be making a big step in that direction.
Thwapr isn't the only startup looking to push the mobile video sharing trend forward. Veteran web video startup Justin.tv is working on its own iPhone app for a similar purpose.
Thwapr's cross-platform mobile video-sharing service is nearing 100,000 members, says Hoffert. The startup first launched in public beta in January 2010 and has been primarily focused on serving brands and businesses. Thwapr has deals with the NHL and Miami Dolphins, for instance. To date, the startup has raised $5 million from angel investors.
Thwapr Screenshots
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