What it does

Developed by Stoyan Stefanov and Nicole Sullivan, SmushIt is a service that aims to better existing image optimization applications such as Photoshop and Fireworks. This is accomplished by using routines that juice every byte of an exiting image file without changing the way it looks or the visual quality.

If you decide to use the system, you can do so in several ways. For instance, it is possible to procure a Firefox extension that will enable you to optimize the images you can find on the World Wide Web. This is accomplished by following the link that is supplied on the main page. On the other hand, you can provide the SmushIt team with a list of image URLs that interest you, and the company will take care of the image optimization process for you. It is also possible to upload the pictures directly for the consideration of the SmushIt team. Once the images have been optimized you will receive a ZIP file with the new images for you to use at your heart’s content.


In their own words

“Performance just got a little bit easier. Optimizing images by hand is time consuming and painful. Smush it does it for you.”

Why it might be a killer

There is a ready market for applications of this kind.

Some questions

How long does it take to optimize a picture? What file types are supported?

Link: http://www.smushit.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Web-App-Tools/smushit-com-image-optimization-tool

 

What it does

Uploading and sharing your files with other internauts is getting easier and easier thanks to the deluge of applications that keep cropping up on the Net. Pixelpipe is yet another addition to that ever-increasing family of utilities.

In this particular case, the application is based on a “One to many” philosophy – Pixelpipe enables you to send your media over the Net and have it delivered to many popular social networking services at the very same time. This is what the site terms a “data liberation process”.

Signing up is accomplished in a straightforward manner, as all it entails is furnishing both personal and account information and agreeing to the terms of service. Once this process has been take care of, you can free your media for your desktop and mobile alike and share it with all your online friends and contacts right away.

Moreover, a blog is featured should you need additional guidance, or if you want to read about the most recent developments as regards Pixelpipe. You can also suggest features to be added and make comments on the application by following the provided link.


In their own words

“Liberate your media with Pixelpipe and get your content out to your favorite social network, photo/video and blog service.”

Why it might be a killer

It is a nifty little tool that is easy to put into practice.

Some questions

What social networks are supported so far? Which ones will be supported in the foreseeable future?

Link: http://www.pixelpipe.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Web-App-Tools/

 

What it does

Uploading and sharing your files with other internauts is getting easier and easier thanks to the deluge of applications that keep cropping up on the Net. Pixelpipe is yet another addition to that ever-increasing family of utilities.

In this particular case, the application is based on a “One to many” philosophy – Pixelpipe enables you to send your media over the Net and have it delivered to many popular social networking services at the very same time. This is what the site terms a “data liberation process”.

Signing up is accomplished in a straightforward manner, as all it entails is furnishing both personal and account information and agreeing to the terms of service. Once this process has been take care of, you can free your media for your desktop and mobile alike and share it with all your online friends and contacts right away.

Moreover, a blog is featured should you need additional guidance, or if you want to read about the most recent developments as regards Pixelpipe. You can also suggest features to be added and make comments on the application by following the provided link.


In their own words

“Liberate your media with Pixelpipe and get your content out to your favorite social network, photo/video and blog service.”

Why it might be a killer

It is a nifty little tool that is easy to put into practice.

Some questions

What social networks are supported so far? Which ones will be supported in the foreseeable future?

Link: http://www.pixelpipe.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Web-App-Tools/pixelpipe-com-upload-share-anywhere

 

What it does

EnTrip is a travel utility that makes the complications of arranging a trip a thing of the past. The features of the program are listed on its site, and these include the ability to plan and map out the whole trip via a map-based interface along with the resources for sharing the experience with your family and circle of friends.

The spirit behind the project seems to be capturing the excitement of a travel adventure as faithfully as possible. As the site itself rightly points out, taking photographs comes close, but there is always something missing- a special something that pictures can’t capture. The EnTrip interface attempts to bridge this gap by means of an interactive map that lets travelers place notes and photographs along with videos for all to see.

The site includes a “Featured Trips” subsection on its main page, highlighting travel experiences of note. On the other hand, a “Just Added” category showcases the latest system developments and additions to the website such as Facebook apps and advice on how to best use the features EnTrip has to offer.


In their own words

“EnTrip's map-based interface allows you to plan and chart out your trip on a full-screen map, and place notes, photos or videos - familiar elements from old-fashioned travel blogs - etc. onto the relevant locations of your trip.”

Why it might be a killer

It transforms the sharing of a traveling experience.

Some questions

Is it free? What is the maximum file size for videos and pictures?

Link: http://www.entrip.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Web-App-Tools/entrip-com-integrated-travel-utility

 

What it does

The premise behind the YouStream.fm website is quite simple: members can broadcast their own programs online. The main page of the site lists already existing radio broadcasts by random users, whereas a “Top 10” chart is likewise featured. This chart provides instant access to the 10 top radios that broadcast using the YouStream.fm web service.

A supple navigation menu is also provided, and it enables users to browse through the existing radios by genre. Some of these include “Music & DJ”, “Talk Show” and “Religious”.

Information on the current users of YouStream.fm can also be procured using this navigation menu. It is possible to inform oneself about listeners in general as well as finding out more about the current disc jockeys and radio managers.

Guidance is given on a plethora of issues that range from how to install both Winamp and ShoutCast to advanced tricks and tips in order to maximize your online time and reach a wider audience.

Lastly, the site provides links for those who want to do some online music-related shopping, as items such as instruments can be procured along with music software under the “Store” heading


In their own words

“Youstream give the ability to manage private blog or to broadcast on a radio or to chat with others.”

Why it might be a killer

Sites like this have become very popular in the wake of YouTube & company.

Some questions

How knowledgeable must you be to use this web service? How difficult is it to configure and put it into practice?

Link: http://www.youstream.fm
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Web-App-Tools/youstream-fm-broadcast-your-own-radio-station

 

What it does

BudTrap is the first product to come from the Australia-based company that goes by the same name. This solution caters for a very specific need, namely making life easier for earbuds users.

Basically, the company offers a system for securing earbuds that in time will work with the vast majority of models that can be found on the contemporary market. The company claims that the cable-unraveling process that previously could take up to 15 seconds now is dealt with in an instant and hassle-free manner. An image paints a thousand words, and the site includes a video that can be watched online which provides a good understanding of the product and its features.

If you want to check BudTrap out, you can do so by joining the existing fan page and requesting one. You can also choose your color from the many that are available. It must be pointed out that the existing beta is only for iPod Nano Gen 3. More versions are on the way.

In their own words

“BudTrap Beta reduced what used to take 15+ seconds (if not minutes) to unravel something that could be done instantly, securely and simple.”

Why it might be a killer

It’s a practical tool that is going to cater for a specific audience out there.

Some questions

How much does it cost? What other models are going to be supported in the future?

Link: http://www.budtrap.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Web20/budtrap-com-solve-earbud-tangle-issues

 

What it does

Yontoo is a newly-established company that intends to leave its mark by releasing a product that goes by the name of Yontoo Layers. This is a browser add-on that enables the user to create virtual layers that can be edited in order to give the impression that a website has actually been modified, hence the product’s tagline of “Extend the Web”.

The supported systems are enumerated online, and right now major browsers like Firefox and Internet Explorer are taken into account. A Safari version is also imminent.

Yontoo Layers can be downloaded from the site by following the “Get Layers Plug-In” link, and it is also possible to inform friends about this Internet initiative via the featured e-mail invites. What’s more, layer applications can also be procured by following the pertinent link.

Guidance and instructions on using Yontoo Layers are provided, and there is a section that explains how the browser’s configuration must be changed in order to fully accommodate the application.

Some questions

What products will the company release in the future?

Why it might be a killer

It is a novel tool that has a myriad uses.

In their own words

“Yontoo Layers is an exciting new development in internet software that enables you to “make changes” to websites.”

Link: http://www.yontoo.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Web-App-Tools/yontoo-com-extend-the-web

 

What it does

With the arrival of the Internet, learning a language has never been easier. Now the Cosmo Trainer folks are making their contribution towards the cause with their site. Basically, the visitor can specify both his native language and the language he wishes to work on. After that, the user can choose the vocabulary he wishes to train. Featured vocabularies include “Colors”, “Food”, “Human Body” and “Numbers” to name but four. Once this has been dealt with, it’s finally time to get down to some linguistic action and training.

It is nice to see startups like this one come along. As a Spanish King once commented, a man is as realized as the number of languages he has mastered, an opinion that has been shared by an endless number of artist and writers (Goethe springs to mind). As such, online resources like this one play a role in the realization of people and the breaking down of barriers that should not be overlooked. Check it out.

In their own words

“Cosmo Trainer, the most effective way to learn languages!”

Why it might be a killer

It is a straightforward way to pick up languages.

Some questions

What languages are supported? What languages will be added in the near future?

Link: http://www.cosmotrainer.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Web20/cosmotrainer-com-learn-foreign-languages-easily

 

In their own words

“RideSpring makes it easy to find carpool partners at work. In addition, the use of all alternative commute modes such as biking, transit, as well as carpooling are promoted and maximized by awarding valuable prizes every month.”

Why it might be a killer

It saves money and it is an environment-friendly initiative.

Some questions

Where can I read an enumeration of the incentives for the alternative commute modes?

What it does

RideSpring is a web service that has the objective of turning commuting into a more flexible experience, thus alleviating what’s the worst part of a workman’s daily routine. Basically, RideSpring provides enterprises with a company-focused system that personalizes the experience. This system matches carpool partners at work, with all the advantages this entails. In addition to that, the use of alternative, environment-friendly commute modes is rewarded via the incentives which are described on the main page of the site.

The website lists the advantages of such an endeavor both for commuters and for employers under the relevant headings. The former can cut their commute cost and share the daily chore of driving to and from work (not to mention getting to know the other work partners even better in the process), whereas the latter benefit from a system which is implemented easily, almost without administrative work.

The RideSpring system comes complete with a Commute Statistics chart that will enable the concerned party to track the progress and effectiveness of the trip reduction program once it is implemented.

Link: https://www.ridespring.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Web20/ridespring-com-commuting-made-simple

 

In their own words

“Habari is next-generation blogging. Download Habari or try the demo and help our community design the future of blogs.”

Why it might be a killer

Those who are looking for a WordPress alternative might flock to it.

Some questions

How often is Habari updated? What are its main strengths? What can be improved?

What it does

Self-touted as “the next generation blogging”, Habari is the latest contender for the “Best blogging platform” mantle. What sets it apart is a more flexible approach which makes for more extensive community participation. In general terms, users that make significant contributions to an existing project receive more privileges within that specific project.

The Habari website includes both screenshots and screencasts that aim to provide potential users a glimpse of what the platform can do, as well as a full enumeration of the features at play. By way of example, these include support for multiple database backends such as MyQSL and PostgreSQL, along with Atom Publishing Protocol support. The platform also supports static content as well as multiple authors. Indispensable features like plug-ins and tagging are also taken into account. Some of the most characteristic plug-ins and themes include feedburner integration, lifestreaming and advanced spam filtering.

Lastly, programmers and software developers who find this initiative interesting and wish to make a contribution can contact the Habari team via the provided IRC channel or the featured mailing list.

Link: http://www.habariproject.org
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Blogging-Widgets/habariproject-org-a-wordpress-alternative