16 November 2011

Kodak Gallery app makes for snap-happy users

Snap-happy users can now create their own temporary social networks to share photos.

The newly launched Kodak Gallery app allows users to create ad-hoc networks to share their photos with others. "It's the temporary social network that we're trying to solve for," said Mark Cook, vice president of products at Kodak Gallery.

For example, when parents want to share photos of their child's school play they can create a network on the spot to share with the other parents also snapping photos.

Users can send invitations to let others join specific networks, giving them an opportunity to upload their photos as well. And, they won't have access to other albums or networks without permission - offering a user a new method for sharing photos with acquaintances without adding them to their social network permanently.

Kodak Gallery hopes this will help address the growing issue of people oversharing information on social network sites.

Photos can be manually added to the network via the Internet, and Kodak Gallery users can set up as many networks as they like free of charge. Currently the app is only available to iPhone users, but an Android version is coming soon.

Kodak Gallery's parent company has been suffering lately as more people transition to digital cameras or use their smartphones as an alternative, and the traditional film business has become increasingly obsolete.

Kodak Gallery is hoping to trade on their long established name in the photography industry as they look to introduce new products and services.

"There is still a huge amount of quality equity, emotional equity with this brand," said Victor Cho, vice president and general manager of consumer Internet and software services at Kodak Gallery.

Additionally, Kodak Gallery hopes to generate more business from the app by allowing customers to print photos, cards, photo books or purchase other items from the company.