That is hardly the primary time an organization has pitched simplicity as a solution to seize and relive recollections. Google debuted an AI-powered digital camera known as Clips in 2018 that might document brief movies, and also you did not even should press a button. Simply flip it on and the AI might work out the suitable moments to seize, and these 7-second clips have been then accessible within the cellphone app. Clips was discontinued almost 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 folks questioning the place to publish. And TikTok could get banned within the US in 2025.
Maybe the intent of carrying round Kyu in your hand, the prompt camera-like “limit” on how a lot you’ll be able to seize, and the simply stitched-together edits within the app will assist create reminiscence bursts which can be bite-sized however nonetheless can transport you past the identical outdated scroll. Since you will should be extra picky with what you seize earlier than house runs out, you will not have pointless information hogging house. And the ensuing movies are mercifully brief—nobody needs to take a seat by means of your 10-minute journey log. It’s also possible to 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Proper now, the Google Images app has “Memories” you’ll be able to cycle by means of that present outdated photographs, however these are sometimes random pictures chosen by Google’s AI as a substitute of a group of recollections tied to a selected occasion. Google just lately launched a characteristic that employs generative synthetic intelligence to create a yearly recap of your recollections with AI-written captions. My 2024 recap did not notably tug at my heartstrings, however perhaps Kyu clips would have made extra of an impression.
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 could actually 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, paradoxically, retailer your recollections within the cloud, although Ando assures me it would 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 when you’ve got an iPhone, you’ll be able to obtain the Kyu app now and begin capturing 9-second movies. Simply do not name them Vines.
