New mobile editor

We inherited an application whose key components had not been updated for over 4 years, and the editor was one of them. In the old editor, some features from the web version were missing, there were notable differences in the Android and iOS applications, and integrating with platform updates became difficult. Our aim was to achieve complete control over the code of the editor, allowing us to make changes without any compromises.

The mobile editor allows you to create coubs and publish them in thematic communities or on your own channel. The maximum length of a coub is 10 seconds, but by using the capabilities of three types of loops, combining videos from different sources, and an independent external audio track, you can create unique masterpieces and memes! The editor consists of several key screens, and we will provide detailed information about each of them below.

Creating a coub starts from this screen: you can choose a video from your local gallery, record a video using the camera, insert a link to a video or coub, or continue editing a previously saved draft coub. Drafts can be saved either on your channel if you created them in the web version or already published them as drafts, or on your device. For example, if you exit the editor without finishing a coub, the editor will save everything for you!

The main screen displays the final result - a combination of segments and an external audio track. To start or stop playback, simply tap on the video, and double-tapping restarts it from the beginning. We have added the ability to choose the loop type: - loop: the coub plays from left to right; - backloop: playback starts from the end of the video; - Ping-pong: the video plays from the beginning to the end, and then in reverse. The master volume control affects both the sound of the added audio track and the sounds from the video.

Segments are fragments of video that make up a coub. You can add and loop one segment, or create a montage of up to ten segments. A special indicator will show when you reach the ten-second limit, but you can still add videos beyond that limit – only the first ten seconds will be included in the final coub. By dragging the edges of the segments, you can adjust their length. A yellow frame indicates that the segment is within the ten-second limit. You can swap segments by performing a long tap – press and hold your finger on the segment, then move it to the desired position.

Above the segments, we have placed a tool zone: on the left, there are undo and redo functions, and on the right, there are buttons for Ghost Frame and Precise Adjustment. The Ghost Frame allows you to overlay the first and last frames, while Precise Adjustment lets you change the segment length with minimal increments. You can use these tools simultaneously. We have introduced a new mechanism for editing loops in playback mode. If a segment is playing and you drag its right side or adjust its length using Precise Adjustment, the playback will start not from the beginning but one second before the end if you manipulate the right side, or from the beginning of the segment if you manipulate the left side. This will greatly save time for those who want to create a perfect loop.

If you have added an external audio track on the main screen, clicking on it will take you to the audio editor screen. Here, you can adjust the volume of the loaded audio (it will not affect the sounds within the video segments), automatically trim the audio to match the length of the video, replace or delete the track. Precise Adjustment is also available. In future updates, we plan to make audio track editing more convenient and visually intuitive.

When your coub is ready, navigate to the publishing screen by clicking on the arrow in the top right corner. Add a description, tags, choose the publication status, and mark it as «Sensitive Content» if you feel that the coub may be considered too explicit or violent by some viewers. We have also added the ability to publish drafts, including specifying a publication date. On the next screen, select a community or post the coub on your own channel. When choosing a community, you can review the publication guidelines and recommendations.

Starting from version 5.2.2, the ability to edit coubs and create recoubs is available again in both platform applications. Please note that editing published coubs is possible within 24 hours, while saved drafts have no time restrictions. In upcoming updates, there will be a clear indication for recoubs, and original coubs will not go unnoticed.