In a digital era where everyone’s looking to capture the perfect moment in a quick photo or video, Lapse serves as a refreshing alternative among countless digital media apps.
Lapse allows users to turn their phone into a disposable camera, sparking the nostalgia of film photography in the age of digital cameras. All users have to do is open the app, snap a photo and wait for the instant results.
Much like developing a fresh roll of film, it takes anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour for snaps to develop. Once snaps have developed in the digital darkroom, users receive a beautifully texturized photo basked in warm tones and subtle grain.
From there, users choose whether to archive the photo, delete it or upload it to their journal. Archiving a snap saves it for your eyes only while uploading it to the journal allows your friends to see it. Friends can interact with the snaps by commenting or “sending vibes,” an emoji-based feature exclusive to Lapse.
The catch is that there’s no opportunity to edit the photo. Users are not able to crop, tilt or adjust the saturation. Instead, they are left with an imperfect yet authentic photo. In a culture where digital media users rely on instant gratification, Lapse gives users a break from the pressures of traditional social media.
“Lapse is for Friends, not Followers,” the developer wrote under the app description on the App Store. This slogan sums up the concept of the app, removing the pressures of follower counts and performance. With no visible likes, follower lists or grid-style posting, Lapse allows users to treat their accounts like personal journals rather than a platform for promotion.
Thriving on the concept of a “friends only” space, Lapse operates by invitation only. The app is free to download, but requires users to invite their friends in order to access its features. While this step could be challenging and may drive some users away, many found the experience worthwhile for an app this unique.
In a society where perfecting your presence on online is often the norm, Lapse breaks away from this standard by offering users a place to be present and capture honest moments while still engaging with digital media.
For those seeking to use social media in a way that embraces authenticity and nostalgic, Lapse is the ideal mobile app.
