Reactr: to react or not to react

In the social media age, communication and photographs are instantaneous.  Thus, people do not often have the opportunity to preview what is posted, making it common to wonder how friends react to instant pictures.

There is no need to wonder anymore. Now, there’s a free IOS and Android compatible application created to do exactly that. In seconds, this new Reactr app allows anyone to instantly send a photo and view that friend’s reaction.

What makes the Reactr application more ‘applicable’ is that the Eyepinch Inc. President Ash Gilpin is a 1999 alumnus of the school. Eyepinch is a digital advertising agency based in Virginia Beach that not only develops social media apps, but offers web development, web hosting, print, radio, and television production, and much more.

“I believe my effort to create a new way of communication can bring people closer together, bringing more laughter,” Gilpin said.

Gilpin, a self-taught web developer and designer, launched this new app to make communicating more entertaining. Much like Snapchat, invitations are sent to friends asking them to participate in the photo-sharing app.  However, one second after a picture is opened; another picture is taken of the person who initially opened the picture.  The “Reactr” is then asked if they choose to share their reaction with friends.

According to Gilpin, the Reactr app allows people to get a good laugh from a friend’s reaction to a photo, rather than a simple text that reads “OMG,” or “LOL,” which is often funnier than initial photo.

A newer version of the Reactr app is currently in the works and will allow people to share video messages, as well as receive recorded video reactions.

Joining the ranks of many successful school alumni, Gilpin’s social media expertise is simply a “natural progression in today’s photo and video-sharing trend.”