It’s hard to imagine the world today without movies, TV shows, or just short videos. We are used to all this as part of our daily digital leisure. However, people are constantly striving for something more – communication, sharing emotions, and the opportunity to experience interesting moments with friends, even if they are miles apart. That’s why simultaneous viewing platforms are gaining popularity, and Rave stands out among them. This app erases the boundaries of distance, allowing you to enjoy your favorite video content in the company of friends – it literally creates a sense of shared presence and the ability to experience emotions together.

Its developers set out to bring distant groups of people closer to each other. The idea is based on the fact that classical “online communication” often lacks real interaction: messengers don’t allow you to feel live emotions and reactions, and video calls don’t always have a shared viewing function (unless you broadcast your screen to another person, but that’s not the case). So Rave is trying to combine both formats so that people can not only talk or exchange text messages, but also enjoy their favorite videos at the same time. And so, there will be no more counting seconds or counting “three or four” to turn on a video at the same time, because it all happens automatically and in real time.

Platform functionality

First of all, Rave supports all popular video services, including YouTube, Netflix, Vimeo, and some others. You can find almost any content there within a single application. Some social networks are also integrated, so you don’t have to open additional pages and copy links anymore. In addition, the program has both public and private “rooms” where you can get together. For those who don’t like to browse in a close circle, there is an opportunity to join open sessions, meet new people and find interesting content thanks to their recommendations. The app also has a voice and text chat option to comment on what’s happening on the screen without interrupting the viewing experience.

Here’s how to install and configure the app

Download. First, go to the app store on your smartphone or tablet (App Store or Google Play) and search for Rave. Once installed, open the app and complete a quick registration via email, Google or Facebook.

Create a room. On the Home screen, find the button to create a new Room. Give it a name if you want. Optionally, open access for everyone or set up a private mode.

Content selection. Click Add Video and select the service you want to use. You can search for videos from YouTube, connect streaming services, or even upload your own videos using Google Drive.

Inviting friends. For others to join, you need to share the link to the room via messengers or social media. If the room is public, your friends will be able to join on their own by finding it in the list of available rooms (+ before that, they will automatically receive a notification on their smartphone immediately after the launch).

Synchronous viewing. Once everyone is gathered, turn on the video. The program will automatically equalize the playback time for each viewer, and text chat and microphone are always at hand.

Many people are already used to watching videos through various “co-streaming” services. However, Rave has a special approach to organizing the space: you can plan parties, meet other fans of interesting shows, and create themed views for a narrow circle of friends. Unlike some similar platforms, the app has minimal setup difficulties. The user quickly understands what’s what because all the important buttons are located on a convenient panel. Another nice bonus is the integration with VR glasses, which simulates the effect of a “shared cinema”. This way, everyone gets the feeling that they are sitting in the audience next to their friends, even if they are physically on another continent.

Sometimes the platform is used not only for viewing entertainment content, but also for studying or working. Lecturers can demonstrate video tutorials, make presentations, and share lecture recordings. In this case, students or colleagues can discuss the material in real time, see each other’s reactions, and ask clarifying questions. This format is convenient when you need to process a large amount of information and take notes together.

Along with the mobile version of the app, there is also a version for computers. In general, due to the large number of supported operating systems, you can organize joint viewing anywhere: on the road, during a break at work, or even on vacation. There is no need to have a high-performance device – an average smartphone or tablet connected to the network is enough. All services are optimized to reduce delays and freezes, although much depends on the speed of the Internet. At the same time, the developers are constantly improving the app by releasing updates.

To conclude the discussion of Rave in this article, we can briefly note that this app helps to bring a more sincere atmosphere of a group of friends into the digital space. Due to its ease of use and integration with popular streaming services, every user has a chance to feel like a part of a warm “gathering”. Sometimes, this is exactly what you need when you want to share your impressions of funny moments or actively discuss the plot. Of course, nothing can replace live meetings, but still).