Technology: Platforms, Interface and Data

Since it's release in 2012, Vine has been openly accessible to anyone with access to a computer or a smart phone. Although the two platforms have minor differences in appearance and function, most of the technological aspects between the two are identical. With their 6 second time constraint paired with the apps looping playback, Vine saw themselves skyrocket to the top of the apps charts gaining an impressive 40 million users in less then a year (Longwell, 2014, p. 51). Being a video sharing platform, the majority of Vine's data is found in video format, however a variety of metadata is also used to help users sift through the content based on their interests. On the Vine website, their homepage directs you to an 'explore page' where you have access to 'Vine Channels', which act as subcategories for their content. Accompanying the channels are a 'popular now' and 'trending tags' section where you can see what's currently viral, along with access to hashtags to identify a keyword or topic of interest within the content, and search accordingly.

 Although the mobile app gives you slightly more freedom, there's only one feature not available on the website and that's the remix option. One of Vine's newest features, Vine remix gives users the ability to take the audio from existing audio and create the own video using it. Besides that, both platforms give you access to all previously mentioned meta data, along with the ability to like or revine content to your own personal profile. Vine's interface is extremely easy to navigate through and gives users the option to slightly customize their profile to their own preference by incorporating profile pictures, location, small descriptions and different background colours. On either platform users can watch videos in TV mode with continuous play, repeatedly playing videos based on your search criteria. Lastly Vine gives people access to a "Vine Blog" where users can read updates regarding the app. and website, keeping up to date with the newest features. 

                      

References:

Longwell, T. (2014, January 6). Vine. Variety, 322(12), 52. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.libproxy.wlu.ca/ps/i.do?p=AONE&sw=w&u=wate18005&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA357147350&asid=f82c0d0b2df865f08c228c6f7a39547b