Vine is dead, it's not coming back, but that's not enough to stop the cofounders, Colin Kroll and Rus Yusupov, from coming up with a new idea. Well, it's not exactly new considering it's mainly about live streaming, but there are some unique aspects here.
It's called HYPE, and the creators definitely want you to get hyped.
Here's the thing, the live streaming market is crowded right now, and with Twitter and Facebook in the lead, it's going to be difficult for anyone else to break through. Take a look at Meerkat, one of the pioneers of the market. That's a perfect example of how hard it is to keep up with the big boys.
The folks behind HYPE are hoping this app and service will find its own niche to grow, and from what we have seen, things could go well or very bad.
The goal here is to have a live streaming service that is interactive and has rich video creative tools. A person who is live streaming should be able to customize the look of the video to their unique taste, and that's something we haven't seen in a big way from the current crop of services.
"Put simply, our goal with HYPE is to elevate storytelling on mobile by building the most expressive and flexible creative video tools, coupled with real-time input from the audience," the HYPE team wrote on Medium. "While developing HYPE, we were inspired by the evolution of TV and desktop broadcasting - these areas continue to grow in quality and expression, while mobile video has remained relatively simple and one-dimensional."
The Interaction From Audiences
Remember Beam, that video game live streaming service Microsoft acquired this year? The same service that is being built directly into Windows 10 via the Creators Update? HYPE is similar to that but in more creative ways. Audiences can interact with a live stream by taking part in polls, questions and votes.
Streamers also have the option to highlight any comment within the live video, so the audience will always feel important.
Interestingly enough, the streamer can drop any music from their smartphone into the live stream. Not only that, videos, GIFs and images can also be thrown in there for good measure. No other service is doing this, so HYPE could stick around for a while if it takes off.
HYPE Could Create Several Opportunities
Live streaming is still in its infancy, but HYPE with its creative tools could usher in a new wave of streamers. This is a service folks could use to create their own live broadcasts. Are you interested in sharing your knowledge on having the best hairstyle? Customize your stream to look the part and target your audience. The same can be said for anyone interested in talking about video games. Then again, Twitch and Beam are probably the better options.
Basically, we have to agree with Yusupov when he said, "We're blending the lines between the host and the audience. You become the content."
