Microsoft's social network Socl updated with GIF creator amongst other tools

Microsoft’s fledgling social networking website has been fixed with stronger wings. Socl has received tools that let you create short animated GIFs as well as collages, amongst other new features.

The Internet giant had launched Socl as a limited beta back in December 2011, but has generally kept quiet about the site. What had started off as an experimental and research-based project, Socl seems to be the next big thing on Microsoft’s agenda, with the company adding handy features to it.

New tools for Socl

Crafted by Microsoft’s FUSE Labs , the service is offering four new “creation experiences” that will aim to make it easier to create and share ideas. The first tool ties Socl tighter with Windows Phone by introducing BLINK. The handy, free photo app for Windows Phone 8 released by Microsoft has been added to Socl in order to help users create short clips.

Another new feature added to Socl is Picotale. Described as being a part meme-generator, part game, Picotales are literally pics and tales stitched together. You can create these by overlaying texts on images.

Socl has added the ability to create collages using personal images that you can mash up with photos, links and videos found on the web. There is also a new feature called Video Party, which is not as shady as it sounds. Using the Video Party tool, you can create and share video experiences on Socl. In addition to the web version of Socl, the service on mobile has also received a bit of a tweak to make it better for users on the move.