Introducing 2014’s New Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms are always evolving. Old hands Facebook, Google Plus and Twitter are constantly upgrading their features. This is a need, for competition is becoming intense. New social media platforms are constantly flooding the market.

In 2014, at least six have gained prominence. You are probably curious about their features and want to know if you should create accounts with those that are starting to flourish.

A. The Netropolitan Club

1. History and network goals

Though it is not accessible, The Netropolitan Club is worth mentioning because its concept was revolutionary. Set up by Minnesota Philharmonic Orchestra James Touchi-Peters, this now defunct network targeted the exclusive. Touch-Peters designed it with the aim of connecting wealthy people with other wealthy people. He wanted to give them a platform to share their problems without alienating the less wealthy.

2. Features

The network charged a high annual membership fee of $9000 USD. It charged another $3000 to have it renewed. The exclusive club was available only on a local internet network and names of prominent members were never shown.

3. Review

Netropolitan, however, attracted much criticism and social networking experts deemed the site a failure after two months. Russia Today reported a Facebook user as saying that the network was scamming users by charging the $9000 signup fee.

B. Ello

1. History and network goals

Ello is the ad-free answer to major social network players like Facebook and Twitter, which now run advertisements to fund themselves. The brainchild of Paul Budnitz and Todd Berger, the network’s aim is to stay ad free and free to use. However, it is now exploring a “freemium” model, with charges in place for premium features, to keep it running.

2. Features

Originally set up by seven programmers and artists, Ello gives users profile pages and allows them to customize settings. It has functional posting features, which include formatting text with bulleted or numbered lists.

To protect users’ privacy, it allows them to categorise their contacts by marking them as “noise” or “friend”. Users alone know how they have categorised their contacts. It also introduced the Facemaker Tool, which allows users to block their profile pictures with the Ello logo.

3. Review

Ello, still in beta, has many bugs. It is on an invitation basis only, so inconvenience of using this network is that you will have to rely on your friends to welcome you.
It has not really caught on, for people are not discarding their Facebook accounts to use it. The functions are also not user-friendly, so you will need a little know-how to manipulate them.

However, its stark design and ad-free formula are draws. Users who prefer minimalism compliment its simple design and quietness when compared with Facebook.

If you like a less cluttered application, sign up with Ello.

In 2014, at least six have gained prominence. You are probably curious about their features and want to know if you should create accounts with those that are starting to flourish.

C. Cuddlr

1. History and network goals

Cuddlr, established by Charlie Williams, is an application that allows anyone who lives nearby to met up for a platonic cuddling session. The social media platform aims to take social networking to new heights.

2. Features

Users can invite others nearby to cuddle, which they can choose to accept or decline within an hour. It also provides walking directions to those available for a cuddle. To remind users to respect boundaries, they can rank each other according to their cuddling techniques, ability to communicate and respectability.

3. Review

The application has drawn some criticism for encouraging people to step over restricted social boundaries. Kate Bellamy, a reporter from the Metro News UK, has questioned if it will affect the lives of non-users. As such, the application is not so safe.

However, Cuddlr has some perks for those who are single, as it allows them to fulfill the basic need for touch. It could be a potential source for finding partners.

If you are single and looking for a romantic adventure, sign up for Cuddlr.

D. Happn

1. History and goals

French dating app Happn, created by French legal hacker Fabian Cohen, entrepreneur Didler Rapport and computer engineer Anthony Cohen, is giving other dating applications a run for their money.

The aim of this network is to bring together people who have crossed paths but never got to know each other. You can find strangers you have encountered before again.

2. Features

Happn is particular about privacy. Users’ profile information is never published on their pages. All they have to do is select the age range and gender of potential dates.

The application then makes use of a GPS tracking system to come up with a list of partners nearby. It also tells users if they have met these potential dates before. If a user likes another potential date, he can send a love heart. If the feeling is mutual, they can start sending messages.

3. Review

A boon of this application is certainty. Users can see who their potential dates are without worrying if they lied on their profiles. They can also make decisions to accept or reject potential partners straightaway.

Some users laud it for its usefulness and praise it for facilitating romance. Make your next date happen with Happn.

E. Emojli

1. History and Objectives

Creators Tom Scott and Matt Gray created the Emoji Social Network as a joke, but it burgeoned at its initial launch with 70000 users. The application allows users to communicate only with Emoji.

2. Features

Emoji does not have any available hashtags, trolls or memes, so the only way to communicate is with incomprehensible emoticons. The application targets younger users who communicate largely via pictograms.

3. Review

Those who use it praised its simplicity. Registration is fairly easy, and there is no need to verify membership through an email confirmation link. Emoji also keeps networking relatively private by not allowing users to browse contact lists. Users can block annoying contacts easily from conversations. Emoji’s developers plan to include new emoticons and enable its users to become more expressive.

There are downsides to any application, this included. It is only for IPhone users, so users cannot message their friends who use Android phones. Install it if you are in the mood for a little fun.

If you have not explored these applications, do make the time to review them. Each of them (other than the now defunct Netropolitan Club) offers interesting possibilities for you.