Dubbler Review

Typing how one feels is so last year, it seems. At least, if the influx of voice or video based social networking apps is anything to go by. The latest app keen to change the social networking spectrum is Dubbler, a product that allows users to record and share their voice with others, while also adding one of many different dubbing effects to the results. It's a nice idea although one that's, ultimately, dependent upon how many others are drawn in.

Set up is quite typical, involving either signing up via Facebook or Twitter, although I couldn't find a way to sign up via email alone. Then it's just a matter of getting involved. Using an Instagram style layout, a red record button dominates the center of the bottom of the screen, allowing users to get straight into submitting voice clips. Voices can then be dubbed with a series of effects such as a cat or cow effect, adding a techno beat or simply speeding it up. Enter a brief line of text for context, add a photo and away it goes for other Dubbler users to check out. They can then add their own dubbed voice or a string of text.

One immediate problem emerges amongst all this, and it's a common one with new social networking apps. There's no way to delete a dub once it's been submitted. Nor is there a way to delete or deactivate an entire account. It's a relatively simple feature to add but one that often appears to be omitted at first (such as with Digisocial earlier this year). Something that can prove frustrating for the privacy conscious. Similarly, users only appear to be able to share content with everyone, rather than restricted groups of friends.

Offering all the usual requirements of a social networking app, such as a trending section as well as feed to consult, ensures that Dubbler does everything else required of it, but such privacy problems should be considered. The foundations are here for a useful aural alternative to Instagram but it needs some more work to make it truly essential for the avid networker.