Bloomberg:
Apple Inc., seeking to capitalize on the popularity of social networks, is developing a video sharing and editing application and is testing new related features for its iPhone and iPad operating systems.
The early plans are part of a newly directed focus to integrate social networking applications within Apple’s mobile products and are a response to the success of social media-focused companies such as Facebook Inc. and Snapchat Inc., according to people familiar with Apple’s strategy. An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment.
And:
Now Apple is starting to develop a video sharing app that allows users to record video, apply filters and drawings to the media — much like Snapchat does — and send it to contacts or via existing social networks such as Twitter Inc., according to the people familiar with its development. The software is currently being designed to be used mostly with one hand and with the intention that video could be shot, edited, and uploaded in less than 1 minute, the people said. At least one of the prototype designs for the app would shoot video in an Instagram-like square shape, one of the people said.
It’s easy to be skeptical when you read Apple and social in the same sentence. Brings back memories of Ping and Connect and the potential of what could have been. But photo and video have long been in Apple’s sweet spot. Getting social right is tough, a bit like catching lightning in a bottle.
No matter, if and when this emerges from the secret lab, sign me up.
Another one of those rumors that makes me wonder what the heck they are thinking over there at Cupertino these days. I see no reason for Apple to create a standalone Snapchat clone, and then have another app out there in the world eventually starving for attention and updates. This at best should be a feature of iMessages, which along with FaceTime is where Apple’s focus on “social” should be.
If Apple really wants to get into social networking they should buy Twitter. I’m going to put that out into the universe. It would help all parties involved. Twitter lacks the growth investors want to see and Apple missed out on the social network gold rush.
Apple could leave Twitter to operate autonomously and leverage it’s strengths where they align into Apple’s services. For example Twitter already is what Apple Music Connect wanted to be. Twitter is also trying to move into television and streaming of live television and that has to line up with Apple’s ambitions in that area.
It would be a match made in heaven and a much smarter plan than a Snapchat clone. No matter how good it is it will always be just a Snapchat clone and one that is too late to the party.
Logical step for Apple, leveraging its camera, photo and video. iMessages will get a HUGE update in iOS10 and restore faith in Apple’s social efforts.
We use shared photo albums as a sort of ad hoc private social network, sharing pictures & videos of our kids and conversations via comments. I’m guessing we’re not alone and that’s what Apple is trying to tap into.
Apple and social? Ha ha ha ha ha!
How about some hardware updates to their ancient PC line-up, instead?