Companies add new communication features to photo sharing.

Multiply, Boca Raton, Fla., has updated its messaging components to allow friends and families to discuss their media in real time.

At the heart of Multiply is its proprietary message board. When a user adds new content, a new thread is created on the personal message board of everyone in the user's social network. While other technologies, such as RSS, merely provide updates when new content is created, the Multiply message board also updates when somebody replies. It's this piece that turns photos and blog entries into discussions.

The new Multiply Live Replies allow these discussions to happen in real time. If multiple users are viewing a photo album or blog entry at the same time, replies added to the thread instantly appear on the screen, turning the content into a real-time chat room on the fly. The Live Replies feature works seamlessly with the preexisting messaging system.

"Our technology is the first that truly lets the subject matter and audience dictate the format of communication, as opposed to letting the application dictate," said Peter Pezaris, president of Multiply. "If a bunch of friends are all online joking about some pictures, they'll wind up having an IM-like conversation. Likewise, with my family spread across time zones, the discussion may be more asynchronous, such as with e-mail, message boards, or other blog reply systems."

The Live Replies feature leverages technology often classified as AJAX, a new technique for creating more interactive Web applications.

"Much of the development taking place using AJAX is based on simply porting desktop applications to Web applications. While it's certainly convenient to have better Web-based versions of software, there aren't too many truly new applications being created," says Pezaris. "Just like our integration of publishing tools and social network-based messaging is unique, we're using these new technologies to create something completely new."

Separately, Eastman Kodak Co., Rochester, N.Y., and Skype, a global Internet communications company, introduced Kodak Photo Voice that combines live voice and online photo sharing. The beta version of Kodak Photo Voice, the first Skype certified online photo sharing experience, is now available as a free download at www.kodakgallery.com/photovoice.

"Today's families and social networks are scattered around the globe. Staying connected through photo sharing remains an important element in maintaining closer personal relationships," said Sandra Morris, general manager of Consumer Imaging Services at Kodak. "Traditional social gatherings that once took place around the radio, television or telephone are now happening around the computer, mobile phone or camera. Kodak Photo Voice marks the next step in this evolution."

Kodak Photo Voice empowers two people to simultaneously view a customized slide show, and to reminisce and react to each picture.

"Our goal is to make technology easy to use, and Skype is a simple Internet communications service that is changing the way people stay in touch," said James Bilefield, vice president of business development for Skype. "The combination of the Skype service and the Kodak EasyShare Gallery photosharing capabilities will make sharing memories even more simple and rewarding for consumers around the globe."

After downloading KodakPhoto Voice and Skype, the host selects pictures from a Kodak EasyShare Gallery album or from their computer, compiles them into a Kodak Photo Voice presentation, and "calls" a friend via Skype to watch the slide show live. Hosts submit orders for prints and other merchandise that guests select through Kodak EasyShare Gallery and have them mailed directly to the guest's home.