Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen quite a few social networks come and go. The ones that have stayed strong (Twitter and Facebook, primarily) have done so because they focus primarily on a couple of things and doing them extremely well.
miio is hoping to capitalize on the simplicity of Twitter, while expanding into features of Facebook and even FriendFeed. So far, I really like what I see because it appears to be built from the ground up to be a centralized place that you can use feed to Twitter or any site that will accept incoming RSS.
The site is broken down in to 3 primary sections, so here’s a detail on each
Status Updates
Unlike Twitter, where your updates are generally a few words and maybe a picture, miio goes further to provide you the ability to do much more:
- Reviews
- Questions
- Links
- Photos
- Videos
- Locations
Each of these has the appropriate entry fields to make them viable, but they also each have a Metadata box that really makes it interesting. All of this metadata gets sorted by miio to help make up the other sections of the site.
Categories
While Twitter Search is amazingly handy, it’s often very noisy. The Categories section of miio appears to be headed toward something that’s much more organized. As the site goes through the metadata of each post, it’s thrown into the appropriate category.
Within each category, you’re able to search for the Newest, Most Discussed and Most Shared posts. This breakdown of search is what really sets miio apart in terms of its content being relevant to what you’re trying to find.
Groups
One of the biggest things to hit FriendFeed was Groups. I’ll venture a guess and say that it will be the same result for miio. Each Group represents a main theme (such as Music or Sports) and then there are sub-groups within them.
Group owners have the ability to set permissions for public or private, as well as giving some detail about its contents. Pretty much standard fare, but it’s a really organized system that all looks very slick.
Overall
I’m pretty excited about what miio has going on. To be honest, I miss FriendFeed because it quickly devolved into an ego-driven mess. While miio isn’t necessarily safe from this same fate, its “value-added” features certainly give it enough of a solid foundation to stand on even if things get messy.
The end result? I’m on miio, I’m using it to feed my Twitter and so far I’m loving it. But, miio needs more users in order to really thrive. Right now the suggested list is filled with RSS feeds. While there’s nothing wrong with that, you just won’t get better content than user-generated.
So come join me. You’ll find me at http://miio.com/bradmccarty
The strength of Twitter is it’s lack of categories, metadata, options, features, bla, bla. Not convinced.
It’s not a Twitter replacement. By any means.
it is not usefull at all
If you’re not finding it useful, then you’re probably doing it wrong.
The interface is not so smooth like twitter, facebook
I have to agree with Brad, the “value-added” is a big, along with the staff participating in the conversations and listening. I really like Miio!
The coolest thing about miio is that I can customize what I want to see, whenever I want to. It’s all about me and my preferences. So far, I am having a bunch of fun with miio!
Does anyone really think that Facebook has a smooth interface? FB is a train wreck. Discombobulation is the word that comes to mind. For all the jazz about FB, I think it was in the right place at the right time and would not make it if it was just now bursting onto the scene…
Okay first impressions on just signing up to miio is:
Seems like a twitter replacement, layout is very simular. However I haven’t done much other then signing up! Will be interesting to see how it goes.
Looks really useful, worth an explore!
Very impressive! Feels a heck of a lot lighter than Facebook but still has a lot of options for posting. Would like to see a video upload feature, you can only post URLs at the moment.
wow. good start miio
Loving every moment of my time using Miio. I find it to be much more useful than the other social networking sites out there, and it’s not a bitch to find and set your privacy choices, if that’s what you want to do.
mm4rley said to everyone publicly:
Link: please feel free to follow me on Twitter
LOL
Yeah nothing like Twitter….
The only barrier I see is getting the rest of my friends on it. The reason for a social network is to have your network join you. This could be quite difficult for those who just got one down. Bummer, I quite like the features.
Tried to sign in with Twitter but it failed, so I loaded Twitter and got the fail whale “over capacity”. Thanks for giving more motivation to give miio a shot Twitter.
Hi, Im Richard, the CEO and cofounder of Miio,
First of all, Brad, thank you so much for taking the time to explore Miio and then writing such an outstanding review. We appreciate it more than you can imagine.
And I also want to thank your readers that have actually taken time to sign up and take Miio for a spin. After so many months of working on this, this part has been especially satisfying.
And finally I want to thank your commenter’s for taking the time to post such thoughtful comments.
If you don’t mind I’d like to respond to each of your comments individually:
@Ingilizce Kursu So sorry to hear that “it is not useful at all”, If you can come back and tell me why I would appreciate it immensely. We love constructive feedback, and we use it to make Miio better.
@johan “The interface is not so smooth like twitter, facebook” Is that because our interface is live similar to IM? or is it the interface itself?
@David Cooley and @Monica @Randy Spangler @Dan Frydman @Ryan @Illiterati Thank you so much for your awesome comments.
@Adam Bell LOL Thank you.
@Stuart Shield Please come back and take it for a spin and drop by my profile and say Hi : http:miio.com/r (Please mention this post)
@Mark Jones (Hi we are already friends on Miio!) We DO have a Video upload Feature and you can see more about it and our other cool features here: http://miio.com/pages/features
@Jax D “The only barrier I see is getting the rest of my friends on it.” Interesting comment. Like you, we think we already have enough ways to connect and share with our friends online, but what about people that share your interests that aren’t your friends? How do you connect with them? For example: I’m a BIG Lakers fan, but none of my friends are. So how do I connect with people that are? That’s what Miio is all about. Our aim is to make it super easy for you to meet new people that are interested in the same things you are. The KEY difference is this: Social networks are organized around common Friends. Miio is organized around common interests.
@Brad F Sorry to hear that. : ( We have also had a problem with several users (cough) that have had problems connecting their Miio account to Twitter too. This is due to Twitters rate limiting polices. We are hoping they will work with us to increase it.
In closing let me thank you all again for giving Miio your attention and consideration. You comments are like buried treasure to us and mean more than you can possible imagine. Please keep them coming. We want to make Miio awesome for you.
PS: You can read our Blog post here: http://blog.miio.com/
Thank you all again.
No sign of a mobile version of Miio… Would prefer to access via iPhone however it’s not formatted to support a small browser. Seems like it could be though. Keep up the interesting work.
seems to me like it would never truly take off because it is lacking the biggest feature that facebook is seemingly embracing, and that is the ability to share random things found on the net that you like with your friends.
The business aspect of facebook is what is making into it’s own next “thing” it’s replacing the idea of googling for business reviews and putting them all of facebook. See who your friends refer and you will find exactly what you need..
Miio doesn’t seem to do that at all.. So where is the NEW feature?
I’m sure we all can agree that facebook has some serious UI flaws, but if you plan on making a new social media platform.. i mean THE new social media platform, you have to bring more to the table than a shiny UI.. You need something that makes people feel the NEED to use it..
Lindsay, You sure you went to miio.com?
Sharing random things with your friends is perfect example of what miio is great at.
And with miio you can participate in groups instead of blasting your friends about things they don’t really like. So if some friends like shopping, while others could care less, you can easily keep those separate.
miio finally solves the weaknesses of Twitter and Facebook, and all in one place.
And an even bigger issue is the development team actually listens to the community and acts on suggestions!
miio is the first place I have felt really social. It is friendly, usable and adapting to the wants & needs of the members.
Join us on the lighter side of the information superhighway.
We have coffee and tees :o)
I’ve just sign up to miio.com. Being suck by twiiter’s Over Capacity message I must say, “This combination of twitter and facebook that I would like use”.
Keep it up the good work, esspecially for the cache.
Hi found miio by listening to TechHijack. My facebook time has fallen through the floor! I see my friends and hang out with them. We play games on fb and its synced to my Mobile. Now, miio takes the social and puts it into social networking. I have found awesome people and am able to have full out conversations with them, or them and one two or ten different people. It’s fun, if u have a personality and are able to be social. Step outside the box and meet new kewl people. Twitter has become a news source for me, twitter is otherwise boring Facebook is coworkers that I like close friends and my oversized family. Miio is for ME . For fun. Its like getting a new cell phone, u have to take a few days or a week to get use to it. Ask questions people will answer.
WnD on miio come find me! Just bring your personality and lots of love for coffee