So we now know what Shots of Me, the social network Justin Bieber recently ploughed capital into, does: selfies. Surprised? We’re not.
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The app, which is currently only available on iOS, styles itself as a kind of Instagram for selfies and is aimed squarely at the youth market. While most of us tend to think of Instagram as the ideal tool for snapping pictures of sunsets, gorgeous landscapes and whatever piece of gastronomic art has been placed in front of us, that’s not really the case with teenagers.
Evidence suggests that they tend to spend a lot more time taking selfies. In fact, in some countries, nearly half of the average youth’s Instagram feed is made up of selfies.
That in turn suggests that there’s space in the market for a service dedicated specifically to selfies. Whether Shots of Me, developed by social gaming company RockLive, is that app remains to be seen.
Speaking to TechCrunch’s Josh Constantine though, RockLive CEO John Shahidi says it’s about more than just capturing the youth market. As far as he’s concerned, the unique factor behind the app is that people never get tired of looking at people, unlike your lunch.
Another thing that sets Shots of Me apart from other social networks of its kind is the lack of a commenting facility. “People share photos because they felt so positive at that moment” Shahidi explained. “Drama kills that moment.”
Oh, and if you were wondering how the team makes sure that instantaneous emotion is retained, the app only works with the front-facing camera and photos can only be taken from within the app itself.
The RockLive team apparently began building the app back in May, with a heavy emphasis on quality.
“We want to be a top of the line product,” said Shahidi. “You spend US$500 on a phone. Does this app fit the quality of the iPhone, does this feel like a like Mercedes or a Ferrari?”
As for the Bieber connection? Well apparently he’s as much a fan as an investor. “Honestly, he loved it. He was a bit annoyed by other platforms,” Shahidi told TechCrunch.
“The commenting thing was something he really cared about. Not just for himself, but for the kids. He said ‘I want a platform where my fans don’t have to deal with this’. We didn’t ask him for money. He said ‘I want to be part of this.’”
