Happy Thanksgiving! This week I’m reviewing Thyng. Thyng is an augmented and social media app which can be used for making art, connecting with others, and selling products. The app allows users to place pre-made three-dimensional objects (such as dinosaurs, running donuts, and emojis) into their space and take photos or videos to share with an online community. In MyThyng mode, users can place their own photos and videos into the augmented reality environment. In MyTargets mode, users can mark areas of the real world as "targets” which will trigger their videos for other users to play/experience. Users who can visit the developer’s physical office in Chicago can book an appointment to have a full-body scan completed to create a virtual avatar to use within the Thyng app.
Screen recording of the Thyng app featuring turkeys dancing and being chased by a phone around a tree.
Intended Use: The app is intended for art, social media, and marketing.
Target Audience: The app is listed as being appropriate for ages four and up. The app features a mostly visual interface so it can be navigated by users who are younger or less tech saavy. You can use some of the functions of the app without making an account, however, parents/guardians/therapists should strongly consider the strengths and weaknesses of children, vulnerable adults, or other clients who may not be appropriate to use the social media functions of the app.
Usability: The interface is primarily graphic. Although the app is fairly simple to use, it takes time and practice to grasp how to navigate the augmented reality space.
Cost: The app is free, however, there are options for in-app purchases for augmented reality object packs which range in price from $1.99 to $4.99.
Technical Requirements: Available for iOS and Android.
Pro’s: The app gives users the option to include both pre-made and original content in their art making. This can make art making more approachable for users who might not feel confident in their drawing or other art skills. Users are still engaging in the creative process by making decisions and developing compositions and stories. Users who are looking to share content with friends, family, or find a like-minded community may benefit from the social media capabilities of the app. Users do not need to make an account to use many functions of the app so those who do not want to/should not be on social media can still benefit.
Con’s: Users may be frustrated by the in-app purchases and commercial content they may be exposed to on the app. Additionally, the social media component makes it too easy to share potentially sensitive content (e.g. art made in therapy) online.
Is it worth it? The app is worth trying out. Users can bring fantasy elements into their environment to bring their story telling to life. The options to import your own photos and videos can allow for the integration of art made through traditional means (e.g. drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, fibers, etc.) into the digital art making process. I think that it is up to the individual user whether the in-app purchases are worth the money.