Divine, a new app reminiscent of Vine, has launched on both the App Store and Google Play, allowing users to create and share six-second looping videos once more. Developed with backing from “and Other Stuff,” a nonprofit co-founded by Twitter’s Jack Dorsey, Divine aims to revive the original Vine experience by providing access to an extensive archive of approximately 500,000 videos, restored from a community-backed project known as Archive Team.
Dorsey, who previously faced backlash for shutting down Vine, supports Divine as a way to rectify that decision rather than as a traditional investment. Evan Henshaw-Plath, who played a pivotal role in the app’s development, painstakingly reconstructed Vine’s content from large binary data files, ensuring the integration of user engagement metrics such as views and likes.
Initially, Divine launched with about 100,000 top Vine videos, which increased to 300,000 by the time of its public release, now offering content from nearly 100,000 original creators. Early Vine stars have demonstrated enthusiasm for the project, with several users actively participating, reflecting a strong desire to revive the magic of Vine.
The app includes a distinctive feature called compilation mode, allowing users to create personal lists of videos by theme, enhancing interactivity. It also differentiates itself by specifically excluding AI-generated content, a choice made by Rabble, who emphasised the importance of authentic and human-created videos in today’s social media landscape.
Divine stands out not only for its nostalgic revival of six-second videos but also for its commitment to open-source principles. Built atop the open social protocol Nostr, the team is exploring further integrations with other protocols to empower users and enhance their experience.
Lacking a conventional revenue model, Divine operates as a public benefit corporation, aiming to give creators more control over their digital presence. Future monetisation possibilities could include direct collaborations and brand partnerships, alongside support models like Patreon.
Lele Pons, an original Vine creator, expressed excitement about the relaunch, acknowledging its cultural significance and the joy of seeing old classics revived alongside new content. Presently, Divine can be downloaded for free, with a gradual rollout that requires users to sign up for access via a waitlist and invitation codes.
Overall, Divine aims to rekindle the social media spirit of Vine while addressing modern tastes and preferences, steering clear of AI content, and supporting a healthy digital creative community.
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