Pool Party: Google Helps You Put On The Speedo And Start Snapping

Google has been quite the busybody these last few days, pushing out the much sought-after Google+ with its infuriatingly scant invites. With the threat of the next Google social networking experience just on the horizon, it seems the internet giant is also working on improving mobile photo sharing, producing Pool Party: An invite only Android photography app. The application, which comes from Google developer Slide, will likely be tucked into the final Google+ experience, but for now you can check below for our full thoughts on the Pool Party beta production.

Concept and Functionality

Pool Party

In essence, Pool Party is Google’s attempt to fill an Instagram-sized hole in the Android Market. The iOS powerhouse redefined what it meant to snap a photo and then share it with friends, and Pool Party is a followup to that revolution. The app allows you to either use an existing photo or create a new one using your phone’s camera. From there, pics are saved to “pools” or photo streams where invited users can browse and comment to their hearts’ content. Rather than posting to a site like Flickr, this creates private photo chains for you and your friends. This sort of thing is perfect for a weekend retreat, or for staying in touch with those who are far away—and have a mobile phone nearby.

Sadly, that’s about all Pool Party is offering: Pure photo sharing, and not much else. Unlike Instagram, the app does not offer the ability to slap ready-made filters onto your photos, denying users the popular “retro” look. You can share photos to different social networking services, but when the excellent LightBox offers the same functionality with effects, Pool Party becomes a hard sell. If the app is only temporarily a standalone production, then its simple features make more sense. The app could very easily fit into a much larger social networking offering (looking at you, Google+).

Design and Implementation

But though Pool Party is simple, it certainly looks nice. Pools are arranged in a stack-style home screen, and are a cinch to create. Adding contacts is as easy as navigating a drop-down menu, as well. Photos were a bit slow on the load, especially on 3G, however. The ability to comment on pictures was nice, though, and adds a much needed incentive to spend time with the application.

Overall Value and Place

At the end of the day, Pool Party simply won’t be replacing LightBox as the Instagram-for-Android alternative. The app is barebones, and though solid, not enough to hold itself up. Pool Party will likely become part of a larger offering from Google, but you aren’t missing much in the meantime if you haven’t been given an invite. With more users, the social aspect of the app might reign more, but for now it’s a simple photo sharing app and not much else.