Just when you thought there was no more space for social media apps in your life, BeReal shows up to add a new twist to the game. The French-based app, started by former GoPro staffer Alexis Barreyat and his friend Kevin Perreau, has brought a fresh perspective to the landscape with its urgency-based posting principle. We break down how BeReal is revolutionising photography content.
How it works
BeReal shakes things up by living up to its name. You might think it’s just another photography content platform, but its unique selling point is that it notifies its users about when they need to post, and gives them just two minutes to do it. That means you have no time for the photo editing and careful curation you do on other platforms; instead, you have to take a photo of exactly how you look, and exactly where you are at that moment.
It does this by using both the front camera to take a selfie, and the rear camera to take a photo of the surroundings. This leads to some candid and sometimes mundane posts, but it sets the content apart because it’s real. The act of doing this is even called a BeReal.
Latecomers are penalised… sort of
The two-minute period is the platform’s way of catching people unaware and in real situations. But that doesn’t mean you can’t post outside that period. Those who post afterwards are “penalised” with a time stamp that shows their friends how long after the two minutes they posted – whether that’s 20 minutes or hours or even days!
What the reviews say
Reviews have been good. The app has four stars on the Android Play Store and five on the Apple iOS store, while critics have noted its banality and ability to showcase reality as refreshing. Some say that because people can post after the time period, it negates the point of the posts being authentic. Some have also noted that the lack of explicit filtering makes it unsafe for children, plus geo-tagging adds an element of danger by sharing location as well.
How the app has changed the game
Whether it becomes a staple like the other popular social media platforms, only time will tell, but it definitely has made a stir since blowing up in 2022. Instagram has also tested a dual-camera mode as well as a feature called IG Candid Challenges, where people must post within a two-minute period. TikTok also followed suit with a similar concept called TikTok Now.
Always be prepared with Vodacom data
Want to try BeReal? Remember that you could receive a prompt anytime anywhere, and there won’t always be in Wi-FI range when it happens. This is where Vodacom data deals come in, keeping you connected at all times. While you’re at it, why not upgrade to a phone with a high-quality camera? Check out our latest Vodacom handset deals.
