That is hardly the primary time an organization has pitched simplicity as a technique to seize and relive reminiscences. Google debuted an AI-powered digital camera referred to as Clips in 2018 that would report brief movies, and also you did not even should press a button. Simply flip it on and the AI might determine the best moments to seize, and these 7-second clips have been then accessible within the cellphone app. Clips was discontinued practically two years after its launch.
The time could also be ripe for Kyu to step in as a personal, private social community. BeReal, the social media app that championed authenticity, has been in sharp decline since its explosive progress in 2022. The mass migration from X to Bluesky has left some individuals questioning the place to put up. And TikTok might get banned within the US in 2025.
Maybe the intent of carrying round Kyu in your hand, the on the spot camera-like “restrict” on how a lot you possibly can seize, and the simply stitched-together edits within the app will assist create reminiscence bursts which are bite-sized however nonetheless can transport you past the identical outdated scroll. Since you may should be extra picky with what you seize earlier than area runs out, you will not have pointless recordsdata hogging area. And the ensuing movies are mercifully brief—nobody desires to take a seat by way of your 10-minute journey log. You may also management whether or not these movies are saved in your digital library as a substitute of the automated nonstop backup most of us are used to with our smartphones.
Courtesy of Kyu
Proper now, the Google Pictures app has “Recollections” you possibly can cycle by way of that present outdated pictures, however these are sometimes random images chosen by Google’s AI as a substitute of a set of reminiscences tied to a particular occasion. Google not too long ago launched a function that employs generative synthetic intelligence to create a yearly recap of your reminiscences with AI-written captions. My 2024 recap did not notably tug at my heartstrings, however possibly Kyu clips would have made extra of an affect.
That is the primary product from a brand new firm, so we’ll must see the digital camera in motion earlier than passing judgment. I am hoping it will probably full its promised features efficiently—a low bar for 2024. The Kyu is obtainable for preorder globally and prices $299. There’s an elective $30 subscription within the works to, mockingly, retailer your reminiscences within the cloud, although Ando assures me it can additionally embody different perks like insurance coverage to guard the system, a restore program, and even a reduction on future merchandise.
The {hardware} launches in April, however in case you have an iPhone, you possibly can obtain the Kyu app now and begin capturing 9-second movies. Simply do not name them Vines.
