Sites Like Netflix

Since the internet came of age in the late 1990’s, we’ve systematically watched product Sites Like Netflixafter product, service after service, and industry after industry transform for this new age of information sharing. One of the latest industries to get shaken up is one that is very close to home.  This would be the video rental industry.

Now that internet bandwidth is affordable, and media streamers are main stream, it is only inevitable that websites like Netflix would rise.  Similar to how the rise of DVDs lead to the downfall of VHS, and penalties for not rewinding, sites like Netflix are spelling out the end for video rental stores, late fees, and possibly even DVDs.

Netflix has become the poster child of alternative video rental services, but it is not the only one.  Since they were founded, many online video rental services have come and gone. If we are to learn anything from history, it is that eventually someone will be innovative enough to come up with a website like Netflix, but better.

Stay tuned to our listing of sites like Netflix to be one of the first to learn of the next best thing.

Still Mourning? Discover 15 Sites like Picnik, and Get over It!

Picnick was an immensely popular photo editing service which was acquired into the Google collective of products.  The website allowed users to perform basic photo editing tasks, without being overwhelmed by the advanced features, and price, that comes with full featured editing programs.  The online software was easy to use, free, and with a massive user base.  Thus Google’s acquisition was a logical step in the evolution of the product.

Unfortunately, the natural course of evolution for such internet applications do not always work in the favor of the end user. Instead, they tend to benefit the corporations that run them. This is a reoccurring theme, one that is as old as internet business itself, and one that will likely not die before the internet does.

Sites Like PicnikThere is good news in this story.  Another reoccurring theme with internet startups, like Picnik, is that whenever one good idea is produced, many more follow. Often, the copycat is creative, and introduces a better product.  Only by examining other websites like Picnik, can we discover if this is the case.

Sites Like Picnik

A few examples of sites like Picnik are outlined below.

  • FotoFlexer is an online photo editor which makes it easy for the user to remove blemishes, change skin/hair color and more.
  • Phixris an online image editor with basic editing features, and online photo albums.
  • Pixlr is a free online image editor, which offers some pretty cool filters to enhance the look of photos.

More Sites like Picnik

Sites Like Groupon and LivingSocial

Sites like Groupon and LivingSocial have saved consumers billions of dollars since they were founded in 2008.  These sites leverage the power of group buying by bringing people together who are looking to purchase the same item or service. This is yet another amazing example of how the internet helps people collaborate to perform a common goal.  In this case, the common goal is getting a deal, and what it takes to get that deal is a group.

Sites like Groupon are changing consumer behavior.  The deals on these sites are short lived.  They all come with a “ticking clock” which counts down to the minute the deal expires. The deals are indeed good so the the time limitation adds a spontaneity factor. This is causing these new coupon sites to become almost an addiction to their users who are hungry for the rush of finding the best deal.

The great deals that sites like LivingSocial and Groupon are offering, combined with the adrenaline rush of capitalizing on them before “time is up,” is probably the main reason for their meteoric rise.  In the brief history of The Internet, we have seen one trend continuously repeat itself.  That trend is that whenever one successful website idea is developed, copy cats appear out of nowhere.  Often times, new business that are trying to grow on these ideas totally lack in innovation, and are simply trying to copy what was there before.

A gem is often found when one a copycat proves themselves to be innovative and add to the original idea.  That is why bargain hunters, should keep aware of sites that are similar to groupon and livingsocial.

Top 10 Sites Like Picnik (in preparation for the Google shutdown)

As many of you will already be aware and for those of you who aren’t, Google recently purchased the online photo-editing website Picnik, and it will be fully shut down over the next few weeks. In response to the huge uproar and great deal of requests for a replacement to Picnik here is a list of 10 sits like Picnik.

1.Photoshop Express
Adobe’s Photoshop Express has some more advanced features such as sharpen, fill like and exposure, as well as all the basic editing tools you would expect from Adobe like resize, crop, red-eye etc. There are some more interesting effects available and an entire section on “decorating” your photo. Although it lacks the seasonal effects offered by Picnik, you can add text bubbles, text and even apply frames. Once you’re done with the cropping and editing you can share the completed photos to Facebook, Picasa, Photoshop.com, Flickr or Photobucket, or go old school and save them on your computer.Sites Like Photoshop Express

2. Pixlr Express

Pixlr Express, by Autodesk is more like the desktop version of Photoshop and is the basic version of the Pixlr Editor offered for free. Although Pixlr Express sticks to the basics there are a decent amount of overlays, borders and fun effect to keep you busy for quite a while. Pixlr Express doesn’t have the ability to share the final edits with photo or social-media networks, but you can of course save them on your computer and upload them yourself.sites like Pixlr

3.FotoFlexer

FotoFlexer is probably the closest thing to Picnik on our list for fun editing options offered and ease of use. Fotoflexr comes with a great array of effects and decorations as well as the basic editing options you would expect. Photos can be uploaded to Photobucket, Facebook, Picasa, Flickr, Smugmug, Flotoflexr and Myspace as well as being saved on your computer as JPEG and PNG file formats.

4. Splashup

Formerly Fauxto, Splashup is a powerful photo-editing tool and manager. It has all the basic editing tools one would expect for the novices out there and more advanced tools for professional users. Its very easy to use and the ability to edit multiple photos in real-time is a huge plus. Splashup has the ability to work in all browsers and has its own file format for works in progress. Once completed photos can both be saved locally or uploaded to a multitude of photo and social-media sites.

5. Phixr

Phixr is one of the most useful html based image editors we cover here. It doesn’t require Adobe Flash, which means less crashing and battery use and run directly on your browser. Due to this and like most other non-flash based options, Phixr is unable to work with layers and is not the user-friendliest option for those who require more advanced fine-tuning. It is however great for the basic user and offers simple straightforward photo editing and adjustment features, filters decorations and a huge variety of effects. Phixr also has seamless integration with many photo and social networking sites.

6. Pixenate

Pixenate is a powerful photo-editing tool that allows the user to purchase custom photoproducts. It is a self-hosted option meaning the software can be installed on your own webserver. Pixeante is very customizable to suit the needs of the individual or if you want it running on your site to suit your site’s identity. Pixenate comes with a fully documented very powerful API so you can also change it’s behaviour if needs be. There are themes and skins provided so you can change the look of Pixenate and like the previous tools there are no add-ons or downloads required.

7. Flauntr

Flauntr provides users with a variety of photo editing tools that allow them to customize their pictures. The website offer various languages including German, English, French and Spanish as well as country specific websites for each language. Flauntroffers its users one-click effects and unique frames than can be placed on top of photographs. In addition to this, coloration can also be edited along with other special effects and fonts. Moreover the unique ability to apply the styles of various world famous paintings to your photographs given by the Flauntr Profilr is really great. The application integrates with Facebook, My Space, iGoogle, Live Journal, WordPress, Windows Live Spaces, Picasa, Hi 5, Orkut and Flickr.

8. Picture2Life

Picture2Life does exactly what it says and has the ability to bring your pictures to life with a very easy-to-use simple online photo editor that works seamlessly with photos you already have online, including a long list of photo hosting, photo sharing, blogging and social networking sites. The latest version includes new 1-click animations and Picture2Life makes it very easy to apply your favourite effects and animations.

9. piZap

Like most online image editing programs reviewed on this site, piZap, too, has its strengths, functions and potential niche amongst digital photo hobbyists, photo sharing site users and social networkers. That strength is apparent from the homepage, namely the innovative, modern embellishments, stickers and add-ons that range from simple holiday and other themes to contemporary pop culture and politics. piZap might not be the go-to online image editing program for everyday users, but when it comes to humorous collages and contemporary, relevant stickers, piZap is in a class of its own.

10. SnipShot

SnipShot is an online multitasking photo editor for the amateur, hobbyist and professional alike. The SnipShot picture editing web 2.0 app gives unpaid photographers all the tools they need to bring their images to life without any difficult downloads or add-on packages. Snipshot allows users to edit uncooked files and add special effects to photos of virtually any size. Snipshot’s online image editor tool sports an assortment of photo editing features that allow the adjusting of numerous aspects of your pictures. With SnipShot you can resize, crop, rotate, and add effects and improve the superiority of photographs. Snipshot allows users do away with opening a split graphics editing program for simple edits. There five functions can be performed once an image has been imported. User can even save it in GIF or JPG format and as well as even upload it to your Flickr account.

To find even more site like Picnik, take a look at the list at SimilarSites. I know there may be a few sites out there that some of you prefer and the more the merrier so feel free to add whatever I have missed out in the comments.

Hope this helps!