A number of services have taken off that make it easy to share pictures via Twitter. A number of iPhone apps also build in this functionality. There are so some that do the same for video now. But audio recording has yet to really take off on the platform, and Cinch, a new service from BlogTalkRadio, hopes to change that, and extend it to Facebook and the web too.
True to its name, the core idea behind Cinch is to make it very simple to share your content. You can create a Cinch account, but if you already have a Twitter or Facebook account that you wish to connect to, that works just as well. Once you’ve done that in the iPhone app (you can also connect to either of those via the website, but the app is more useful), you’re taken to a start up screen which features a big red record button to start recording your audio. Once you’re done, just hit publish to send it out.
And you can do more than just send audio. If you want to send a picture, for example, you can add that too, and then record audio talking about the picture (though you don’t have to add the audio part). Or you can just send text. Or a combination of all three.
The app also allows you to browse and listen to other people Cinches, or you can do that on the website. And if you choose not to use the app, you can record a Cinch from any phone line and send it. This audio is simply inserted into your Cinch RSS feed, which you can share anywhere on the web, not just to Twitter or Facebook.
“The platform has an open API and we are working with the development community to make it as robust as possible. We are also white branding the entire platform (including the app) so publishers and brands can create their own communities built around Cinch,” according to BlogTalkRadio CEO Alan Levy.
Unfortunately, in my experience with the app, it crashed a few times, but Cinch was able to restore the audio I had recorded in a lost session. There was also an issue where I had to authorize Twitter via OAuth every single time I opened the app, which is a pain. That part was not a cinch, but the rest of the app seems to be.
You can find for free in the App Store here.
[TechCrunch Europe Adds]: There are two other iPhone/Android apps which do this. Audioboo is making headway as a sort of audio Twitter, while iPadio is targeting businesses.
I still don’t understand why these audio services, both Cinch and Audioboo at least, only allow recording from iPhones. I have a touch (no mic), and want to record from the desktop – but they make it impossible!
Time to get coding, maybe..
Matt,
You will be able to record from the Cinch website using our VOIP interface… thats coming soon.
Also, as MG mentioned you can use any phone or multiple phones to create Cinch’s thereby never having to use the iPhone app.
You can also create an audio Cinch calling 1-646-200-0000 as well – just make sure to add your number into your profile so we can associate it with your account.
Savan
Matt,
You can use chirbit.com to record from your browser. You don’t need an iphone, but if you have one, you don’t need a separate app. You can use the voice memo app to record and upload to Chirbit. Check it out!
MG – well written. Matt, thanks for reference to Audioboo.
Just downloaded app to my iPhone 3G model. Had no “re-authorization” issues in sending two audio tweets.
Well I have tried to use this thing 3 times now and I keep getting the same message, “Object reference not set to an instance of an object”.
So it might be a cool idea if I can get it to work. One thing I do notice from it not working for me is that it does recall the last thing I recorded but only if I close and open the app. It would be cool if there was a reload button of some sort.
Jason,
We are looking into your issue.
We found the bug caused by the sequence of events in how you signed up. We will be rolling a fix later tonight and you should be good to go by tomorrow morning. Sorry for the trouble.
Cool. Have needed this.
isn’t it like Tweevoca?
Congrats to Savan and the rest of the team!
Audio tools seem to be getting closer and closer to being seamless with your everyday life. Meaning mobile integration, voice recognition, etc…..
Uses that the everyday Joe / Jane can implement without hassle…
But then again they have been seeming to be “almost” there for a while….
I will have to check out Cinch and see how easy it is…
You forgot to mention CellSpin.net which has been doing this since the time Apple launched it’s app store.