Google's New Video Sharing App, Uptime Could Be The Next 'You Tube'

Google opened a startup incubator called Area 120 which let employees start their own companies using their discretionary time. This incubator has launched a new app called Uptime that is a group video messaging app that lets users watch and share videos with their friends.

Uptime application is currently available only for iOS users and lets them watch YouTube videos, react, comment and share them with their friends in real time. The idea resembles that of the Live videos on Facebook but it is implemented on YouTube videos as of now.

The Uptime application lets users log in with their Google accounts and check what videos their friends are watching in real-time. The users can watch the same video and can follow their friends by checking a rounded square that borders the video window. The users can also comment on videos and post messages, emojis, reaction faces and more. These interactions and comments are saved so the other viewers can see them when they watch the same video later, reported ARS Technica.

The Uptime application feels like a newer version of YouTube as it is more engaging, more social and is more user-friendly. YouTube also has a live commenting system but Uptime is more engaging and fun as users can share what they are watching, reported The Verge. However, it might hinder someone's privacy as other users can see what is being watched by the user.

There are some downsides to the Uptime application too. Since this is a side project of Google employees, it is still in development phase. It lacks some basic features which are present in YouTube. There is no option to record videos and users are bound to use only YouTube videos. There are no private messaging features on Uptime application which YouTube recently added. Also, privacy is a major concern for the users of Uptime application.