Vine has released a substantial update to its iOS app, offering long-awaited support for HD videos — as well as friend recommendations.
Previously, people who were looking to connect over Vine had to sync the app to their Twitter account or address book. Now, the app will offer "hand-picked" suggestions, helping users find people to interact with on the platform.
"A new list of suggested Viners makes it easy to find more accounts to follow. Simply tap the Find People icon in the top left corner to see hand-picked suggestions," said Vine in a blog post.
The suggested people section adds an important way to interact in Vine. Users had been able to find people they already knew on the platform through Twitter or their address book, but this new feature will help them find people they don't yet know. Seeing as these suggestions are "hand-picked" by staff at Vine, we should be able to expect high quality.
The update follows a March announcement that Vine would be allowing publishers to offer 720p content — making the platform far more interesting for them. Now users themselves can take advantage of 720p video, with an option in their settings to toggle HD video on, which will publish their video in 720p.
Vine has been making a number of changes to its app as of late, recently revamping its search page to not only include usernames and hashtags, but also actual Vine video content that might fit in with the search criteria.
The changes are in keeping with those being made at Twitter, which owns and runs Vine. The idea here is that top users and accounts on Vine are getting the spotlight in search features, with other users more easily able to follow and consume the content they put out.
Vine is also seeking advertisers to join the platform, which will be able to see the growth of audiences surrounding specific content.
The announcement follows Vine's acquisition of Niche earlier this year, a service that connects with celebrities on Vine, Instagram and other social media networks, to help them deal with companies that might want to pay them to advertise their products or promote their brands.
Vine has also been expanding, earlier this year beginning to offer "Vine Kids," an iOS app designed specifically for children to enjoy Vine, showing them family-friendly content such as animated videos.
