Smugmug is currently beta testing the latest version of their photo gallery interface. After playing around on the beta server a little, I’m cautiously optimistic. There are some features that are almost a huge improvement, and some that are a nice step up, and one downsides to the new interface. As is, the new interface is a nice incremental improvement. With a few tweaks it has the potential to be a really impressive step forward.
Techcrunch just covered Loopnote, a new service that allows users to subscribe to information on a given topic so they can “stay in the loop.” Publishers are allowed to create the “loops” that provide information on a particular topic to interested users. As the first few people to comment on the Techcrunch post are quick to point out, Loopnote doesn’t provide any new technology. You can get exactly the same functionality using a hosted blogging package, Yahoo! Groups, an announcement only mailing list.
Techcrunch just posted a story about Pikeo, a new photo sharing service attempting to compete with Flickr and Smugmug. Pikeo is doing a couple of things to set itself apart from Flickr: (1) trying to to capture the non-English speaking market by operating the site in French and Spanish in addition to English, (2) tying your pictures and the photo sharing experience to maps more centrally, and (3) providing a rich client-like interface.
