By now, I'm guessing you've heard about Peach, the hot new social network that everyone is downloading. It is definitely the talk of the tech space lately.
I know what you're thinking. Another app? Really? And my answer is yes, because even if it doesn't last, it's popular enough for you to test the waters. Plus, it's a combo of Facebook, Tumblr and Snapchat with a touch of Twitter and Slack, so it's like all kinds of social media-y goodness rolled up into one tasty treat. That alone elevates it to look-worthy. And with that, the time is ripe (sorry, I had to) for my primer on how to get started and use Peach. Note: Peach is available for iOS only right now, downloadable from the Mac App Store.
Finding friends
This is one part of Peach that isn't very peachy. The only way to see if your friends are on is to sync your iPhone contact list. Some of us -- myself included -- aren't too keen on that. A workaround is to search other networks for someone's username and then look at their friends and build contacts that way. Furthermore, because it's common for people to want to claim their Twitter username on other platforms, you could try typing in a friend's Twitter handle and hoping that you guess right.
Say the Magic Words
Magic Words are fun. Start typing one and then tap the bubble that pops up to do more with it. For example, you can type "gif" to use the built-in gif finder. You can type "draw" to sketch a la Snapchat. You can type "shout" for big type. You can keep up with the latest Magic Words at the Peach website at peach.cool.
Use Magic Words to give people a peek into your world
Type "move" to show people how many steps you've taken today. Type "battery" to show your device's current charge. Type "song" to share the current song playing. Type "weather" to make people feel sorry for you -- or make them jealous.
Find some favorite friends
With the latest update, you can click the little star next to the person's name to make that person a favorite and be notified quickly when they post.
Ooh, that's a smart -- and fun -- camera
You can take a photo or choose one from your library, or create a mini gif or collage on the fly.
Wave, boop or send cake to your friends
At the bottom of someone's post, you'll see the option to wave to that person. Click the more button for a list of other things you can do to someone, which includes booping them -- apparently that's tapping someone playfully on the nose -- and sending them virtual cake. And when things get more serious, or if you're Beyonce, you can "put a ring on" the person.
A word of caution
Speaking of Beyonce, it appears anyone can use anyone's username if they're fast enough. I'm pretty sure I know who barackobama is, and he is not the president. So before you friend beyonce and get all excited, make sure it's actually Beyonce you are following.
And if you really don't know what to say
Click the light bulb next to the camera icon on the lower left portion of the screen. You'll get a random idea. Some include "share your outfit today," "childhood is a time for ------ " and "paste whatever's in your clipboard right now." You don't need me to tell you to be careful when you do that.
Style on 01/26/2016