Social media platform and video-sharing application Byte released a new video format last Friday, January 24, 2020. Following the app’s release on the App Store in the United States, its downloads have already skyrocketed.
Byte is a video-sharing app that allows users to create short, looped videos. Its approach is largely similar to those that preceded it, including Vine and TikTok, states NBC News. The program is created by Dom Hofmann, who also previously worked on the Vine app before selling it to Twitter.
The main comes on for Byte is its short-form video, where Time says allows individuals to create 6-second vids. This particular feature reportedly helps users cut to their punchline easily, notes Vice.
The description available on the App Store reads, “We’re bringing back six-second looping videos and the community that loved them.” “Nostalgia is our starting point, but where we go next is up to you.”
Apart from the six-second video format, Byte also gives individuals the freedom to add their own sound effects. This includes access to select video editing tools also available via the app. Despite its basic editing approach, Byte covers the essential tools needed for editing, cutting, and looping.
Time notes that Byte also made it possible for users to link videos to other social media platforms.
With the success that Byte is getting, former Vine and TikTok stars have now created their accounts on the platform. These include Chris Melberger from Vine and Benji Krol from TikTok.
Bump in the Road
While Byte is in its initial release, the program has reportedly reached successes with its target audience. However, Business Insider reports that 2 days after launching, the application already encountered a bot problem.
Business Insider claimed that individuals complained of issues arising from bots. One that received the most complaints includes spammed comments on other people’s posts generated by bots.
Hofmann issued a cover for these concerns, addressing the complaints via a blog post. In a statement, Hofmann said, “We’re aware of the issues with comment spam and more widely with certain types of comments. This is our top priority and we’re working very hard to address it.”
Hofmann also said, “It should be noticeably better than it was 24 hours ago and should continue to improve over the next little while.”
Following these concerns, Hofmann and the rest of the Byte team will streamline its offerings in the future. These include filtering and limiting comments, liking and blocking comments, and moderating video content, says Business Insider.
