I finally got around to using radar and, of course, I have a couple of observations, and maybe a few complaints. The first interesting thing I noticed previously was that when I log in I am automatically presented with pictures from my friends (well actually, frienD, as I have only one radar friend so far). Then, when I upload pictures, my pictures become part of a stream that includes my friend's pictures sorted (I am assuming) by most recently posted...interesting. In addition, all of the comments appear at the bottom of each photograph and their are no descriptions, just comments. This seems to be an attempt to address the idea of having a communal space where people who know each other can speak through media. The other interesting thing, which makes sense given their mobile strategy, is that they not only provide means to search and comment through your mobile phone, but they have a java app available for download that will allow you to post and communicate with the site in an easier fashion. I haven't downloaded to the Nokia yet (wonder if my Nextel would support it???).
The problems? Well, first, while I appreciate the convenience of seeing new pictures by my friends when I first log in, perhaps there could be a better way to organize this so that one piece of media has a connection to another piece of media that is relevant. I see that they offer the ability to form and join groups. But this only seems to be a way to organize your friends. I cannot see any way to upload media to a specific group, nor is there a way to search for groups that you may want to be a part of. In fact, the only way it seems to become part of a group is to be invited, The other significant problem is, if I see someone who has posted a comment on my friend's page who I may want to invite to be my friend, why should I have to know their email address? Shouldn't their be a way to simply invite them on the site itself?? Yes, flickr does piss me off when strange people who have pornographic photos all over the place add me as a contact, so I understand the need to have some sort of privacy functionality. But maybe it could be an approval situation (sort of like myspace..although I think their method is equally as annoying) where someone could accept your invitation. Also, and again I'm sure this is for privacy reasons, why is it that I cannot see other users photos that they have labeled public by clicking on their name. Since there is no way to search for users (or media for that matter), if someone posts a commment to a picture taken by one of my friends , there is a good possibility that I may know the person, or at least want to see what pictures they have posted. This is actually somewhat anti-social and if privacy is the reason, they could simply make the default 'private so only my friends can see' (flickr again) and then give people the option of making their pictures totally private or public.
In my previous post, I had not meant to suggest that I think something of this nature would REPLACE flickr entirely. I don't think that is possible just yet. However, given that mobile phone camera's are only getting better, I think it is safe to assume that a large portion of people, especially those who mostly photograph to keep their memories and who otherwise may not have the need to actually buy a digital camera, will use their phones to take pictures. In this regard, an app that attempts to create a mobile media community may be the next big thing. There will always be the need, at least in the near future, to have sites like flickr that cater to those without camera phone capabilities or those who simply can't handle the horrible quality of their phone's pictures. But providing a clean, easy to use and relevant site dedicated to storing and communicating through mobile phone media will be, not only a good idea, but necessary (hello...freeformed!) Wonder if radar is considering video???