Google is reportedly set to shutter Slide, the social app developer that was acquired by the search giant just last year. The startup had continued to develop new apps after it was purchased, leading to the recent release of a new photo-sharing service, Photovine, that raised eyebrows when it was released on the iOS App Store without an equivalent launch on the Android Market.
Photovine, Google's newest photo-sharing service, has opened up access to the general public via an iOS app update. Previously access to the service was limited to invites, much like other Google projects. Photovine distinguishes itself from most social networks by revolving not around individual users, but rather "vines," photo collections united by a single theme.
Google has launched an iOS app for Photovine, its new photo sharing service. Access to the service is currently invite-only, so downloaders must either request entry in-app or visit the official Photovine website. The app is a free download and runs on any iOS device running iOS 4.2 or better.
The Photovine website went live on Tuesday, but is not yet ready for uploading. The site, the name of which Google trademarked in June, appears to be a photo sharing network run by the search giant. A teaser on the site simply states that it's a "fun way to learn more about your friends, meet new people, and share your world like never before."
Google may be planning to expand its photo sharing beyond just Picasa. The company obtained a trademark for "Photovine" on June 7 and used proxy firm MarkMonitor to acquire Photovine.com just a week later. Few clues exist as to what it would involve, although the trademark bills it as "transmission of visual images and data by telecommunications networks" and "on-line social networking services."
