Socl Gets Even More Friendly and Interactive with New Site Overhaul and Additions
posted Sunday Jul 7, 2013 by Nicholas DiMeo
It's been two years since Microsoft accidentally introduced So.cl, their take on social interaction with a twist. When I played around with it, I never really got hooked but could definitely see its uses. Share documents, songs, video clips and more, all in a playlist format that you can bring your friends in on. It kind of felt like GoToMeeting, minus the whole professional vibe that would stray college-aged customers from using it. If you aren't familiar with Socl, I think Microsoft could describe it best.
From Microsoft Research's FUSE Labs, Socl create experiences allow you to express your ideas through collages, videos, memes and dynamic media that take seconds to create and are easy to collect, comment upon, and share on Socl and to other social networks such as Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr and Twitter.
Now, the company is taking Socl a little further by introducing "Create Experiences" that will allow you to express yourself, as they say. I have the list of experiences below along with a video after the break.
Blink
Currently available for Windows devices, BLINK apps provide ways to capture, create and share short dynamic media using Windows 8 or Windows Phone 8.
Using BLINK or BLINK Cliplets, you can capture the perfect shot or have fun creating surprising short films to share on Socl and your other favorite social networks.
Picotale
Part "meme-generator," part game, Picotales are little stories made by overlaying text on an image. Something cool, witty, funny, playful... Simply type a message and hit go. Picotale will deliver an image including your text. Hit go again until you find a combination you like. Then post on Socl and your other favorite social networks.
Collage - now with upload!
Collages are comprised of images, links and videos found on the web or uploaded to Socl. Simply type a topic, paste a link or upload images then drag and drop. Your collage will be stylishly assembled for you in an instant to post on Socl and your other favorite social networks.
Video Party
Video Parties are shared video experiences on Socl. Got a favorite band, movie, genre, actor, activity? Simply name your party and click start. Then search for a selection of video clips to create a video playlist. Now you're ready to invite your friends to watch, chat and share the experience, in real time if you like.
Mobile Socl
Socl's responsive site design will optimize for your device; now you can take Socl on the go with you.
If Socl isn't something you've played with yet, I highly suggest you do so. It's kind of fun if you have a bunch of friends who are willing to mess around with the system along with you. Then, it also becomes useful when you get tired of the mundane status updates and static pictures that are Facebook and Twitter. Remember when Xbox introduced the whole "watch movies with friends" thing? It's kind of like that, except you can now watch the Internet with your friends. Plus, it's kind of cool to just be able to create the exact thing you want, within one experience, without having to load a bunch of side-apps to get the job done. It may seem like something you wouldn't usually do, but it was definitely a refreshing experience for me. Your mileage may vary.
