CoolIris updates plugin

CoolIris has updated its plug-in that is designed to improve the way web browsers display pictures, video and other digital content. The new version offers enhanced support for Facebook galleries, new ease-of-use improvements and options to add metadata to photos and videos. For the first time, users can also display images stored on their hard drives.

Described as a "visual navigation layer," Cooliris organizes images and videos into a 3D-style "wall" that resembles a row of television screens. Using Google Image search, for example, normally requires sorting through several pages of material before a user finds the right image. Cooliris displays the images in a single continuous stream. Clicking on the desired image brings it to full size, with metadata including the source and resolution.

The free plug-in is supported through ads and partnerships with retailers and content providers. Content is available from Hulu, YouTube, Flickr, Picasa, CNN, The New York Times, Google, Yahoo and others. A shopping section allows users to enter the name of a product, and then view results from a variety of sellers.

The addition of local content to Cooliris allows users to search their own hard drives to view iPhoto galleries and other images. However, the plug-in does not yet work with locally-stored movie files, including those in iTunes.

The technology can also be embedded in websites. The Wall Street Journal uses Cooliris to display real estate photos and the Regis and Kelley show recently used it for a viewer contest. So far the company says more than 5000 websites are supporting Cooliris, which is based on Media RSS technology. The company released an iPhone version of Cooliris in October and so far users have downloaded more than 800,000 copies.

Cooliris 1.10 works on a variety of browsers including Safari, Firefox and Internet Explorer and supports Mac OS X , Windows and Linux systems.

By Electronista Staff