ThingLink Review

by Angie Luu

Description

ThingLink is a tool for creating and sharing interactive images online. Using ThingLink's tagging capabilities, you can transform static images into a navigational surface for exploring relevant content such as video, audio, image, or text. It is available online and through iOS devices.

 

It is similar to services like Instagram and Pinterest, that allow users can upload and share photos. What's different is that you can tag specific parts of your photos with links and media that can make your still images more interactive. All media is automatically embedded into the tag.

 

• text
• links
• video
• audio
• photos 
• maps
• Twitter handles
• Facebook pages 

 

Users can also "remix" images, which allows you to edit and repost a new version the image. You can also "touch" (like), share to social networks, comment on images.

 

Online:

 

 

Mobile:

 

Access

• It's available for free at thinglink.com or in the Apple App Store.

 

Sample Usage

 

Tips, tricks, and tutorials

• Browse and explore the current popular ThingLink photos.

 

What the Tool Does Well

• Great option for turning a still image into a story. It is much more interactive than a plain caption or description.
• Interface is simple and intuitive.
• When tagging a photo, it is as simple as pasting in a link - ThingLink automatically detects and embeds media for you.
• Sharing is easy. You can choose to share to a social network or embed the image onto a website. 
• You can upload a photo from your computer, or import from Facebook, Flickr, or a URL.  

 

What it Does Poorly

• It can lag - of course this depends on the size of your image, internet connection, etc. 
• Signing up through the mobile with an email address (instead of connecting with Facebook or Twitter) did not work. 
• You can't create albums or photo sets, which is limiting if you want to make a photo story with multiple images.  

 

What happens when you...

• ThingLink is being used by retailers to market their products and by educators as a teaching tool. Below is an example of how Home Depot uses this tool. 

 

 

Additional Resources

• Competitor to check out: Stipple.