Koozoo, the first platform dedicated to unlocking the potential of shared live video of the world’s public places, today launched its network of smartphone video cameras and a new mobile app. Koozoo is the first crowd-sourced network of continuously broadcasting smartphone video cameras that makes it easy for anyone to share fun and informative views of the public spaces they see outside their window, inside their businesses, or while they’re on the go. Koozoo’s video streams provide users with a window into the real world as it’s really happening.

“Koozoo makes it easy to share fun and informative live views of places and events,” said Drew Sechrist, CEO and Founder of Koozoo. “As more people share their views, soon we’ll be able to see for ourselves what’s happening just about anywhere in the world so we can make better decisions as we plan our day. Koozoo will soon help us answer simple questions like ‘how long is the line at my favorite brunch spot?’ or ‘is it foggy at the beach today?’”

After downloading the Koozoo app, anyone can instantly share real-time views of places they care about, and see what’s going on at the places that matter to them most, from a favorite neighborhood cafe to iconic destinations around the world.

Anyone can join Koozoo for free at one of two levels. Basic members share video snippets from their smartphones as they go about their day, and can check out other people’s views and snippets through a simple, map-based interface to see what’s going on around town. Advanced members share a 24/7 live view from their home or office window using a retired smartphone they aren’t using as a phone anymore. Advanced members have all the benefits of basic membership, as well as other features currently under development, including time-lapse camera views and other exclusive content and features.

“Koozoo’s long term goal is to make the real world as searchable and accessible as the virtual world,” continued Sechrist. “Our new App and growing network of live views are the first steps in that direction.”

“Technologies like Google Earth, Twitter, and the twenty four hour news cycle have made the world a smaller place, closing the distances between people and places,” said Professor Trevor Darrell, UC Berkeley and International Computer Vision Institute. “Koozoo is that next step towards connecting the world and making even the farthest reaches of the globe visually accessible to anyone, anywhere.”

Koozoo is launching today in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX, and will roll out to other major cities around the world in the coming months. This means full broadcasting capabilities will be available to users in SF and Austin, but anyone can download the app and checkout all the views other Koozoo members are sharing. The Koozoo app is currently available exclusively for the iPhone and other iOS devices in the App Store and will soon be available for Android.

About Koozoo

Koozoo is a new online platform that allows everyone to share live views of places they care about. Koozoo’s goal is to make live views of the world’s public spaces easily accessible to one and all. Koozoo is a private company backed by New Enterprise Associates, Tugboat Ventures, and other private investors. The company was founded in 2010 with offices in San Francisco, CA. For additional information, visit www.koozoo.com.