Viddy iOS Update Takes Aim at Vine, Instagram

Video-sharing app Viddy got an iOS update today that allows for longer videos and adds more editing tools and features.

In the biggest overhaul of Viddy since its initial launch in 2011, Version 2.0 includes longer videos, 15 new filtering effects, and eight additional music tracks.

Viddy now allows for 30-second shots, twice the length of its previous limit, and far exceeding rival Vine's six-second shorts.

The startup company touted new features like the ability to pause video recording to film multiple segments in one video, toggle-based brightness/contract and audio volume controls, frame rate adjustments (6, 12, 30 frames-per-second) to simulate stop-motion capture, and simplified video descriptions with active Twitter hashtags, mentions, and links.

Most notably, Viddy added 15 new video effects, ranging from vintage to sepia to x-pro with live rendering. The Instagram-like filters can be added before or after a video is shot, allowing users to incorporate a touch of warmth, vibrancy, shadow, or old-fashioned black and white to reflect the mood of the film.

Additionally, swipe-based navigation allows quick access and a new Explore section offering curated video categories and trending videos. Viddy also added geo-feeds for discovery by region, a socially relevant Home feed based on user preferences, a verified program for celebrities and brands, and YouTube annotations for easy linking to outside videos.

And for those quiet shots that need some musical punch, eight new tracks are included in the update, featuring fun., Snoop Lion, Grouplove, and The Lighthouse and the Whaler, among other jazz, waltz, rock, and acoustic tunes.

The Viddy update is available for free in the Apple iTunes Store; Android users can also find it in the Google Play store, but without the added bells and whistles, for now.

Twitter's Vine launched late last month, provides a platform for users to create short clips recorded via one straight take or multiple shots, for a sort-of shareable GIF. For more, see PCMag's review of Vine.