Overview of Socialcam:
As far as microvideo apps go, Socialcam leads the way for versatility. It's available for both Android devices and iPhones, you can log on from any computer, and the user interface combines simplicity with fun visual and audio effects. Called "the most talked-about video app" by the New York Times, Socialcam's popularity makes for a huge community of users and just as many videos.
Getting Started With Socialcam:
You can log in to Socialcam using your Facebook or Twitter account, or you can create a new account with a username, password and valid email address. Socialcam will automatically search for friends using the account information that you logged in with. You can choose to follow the suggested friends to immediately get integrated into the Socialcam network, or hit "next" and choose friends directly from you address book.
It's worth it to take note of a few features in the user settings. Socialcam gives you some control over your followers - you can automatically accept anyone who wants to follow you, or choose to manually approve your followers so that you know who's watching your videos. You can also link your other social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Posterous, Tumblr, or Dropbox to facilitate easy video sharing. You can also choose to auto-share your videos with your Facebook or Twitter accounts, so that every time you upload a video it automatically appears as a Facebook post or Tweet.
Recording Socialcam Videos:
To post a Socialcam video update, either choose a video from your camera's video library, or record a new one. You can choose from a set of video filters before you start recording,. Try shooting with "Kodak" to give your film a 70s Kodachrome look, or "Noire" to add an air of intrigue in black and white. Unlike other video sharing applications, Socialcam has no time limitations, so you can record anything from a quick status update to a feature-length home movie! To keep upload times manageable, consider refraining from shooting with filters for longer videos.
Sharing Videos With Socialcam:
Once you're finished recording, you can add titles or music to your video, and adjust the volume. Next, choose who you'd like to share the video with. Select recipients from your list of phone contacts, tag them by first or last name, or post the video to your other social media accounts. After this step, your video will begin to upload. Upload times will depend on your internet connection. If you're uploading a longer video, I recommend connecting to a wireless network for faster upload speeds. If you have followers, your new video will show up in their news feeds.
Browsing Socialcam Videos:
Videos on Socialcam are conveniently organized for browsing. There's a feed of your friends' activity that looks very similar to your Facebook homepage. You can also check out videos based on popularity or what's "Trending". Socialcam lets you add hashtags to the videos you make, so you can browse and create videos based on the activity of the greater Socialcam community. With icons that hyperlink to videos, Socialcam makes for a fun and visually appealing browsing experience.
Due to its simplicity, popularity, and sheer entertainment value, Socialcam is an app worth checking out.
