My thoughts too. I noticed in the advert that there were multiple instances where people seemed to be directly replying to the video sent to them. For example, someone replying 'awww' to a picture of a dog or 'wheeee' to a kid going down a slide. Surely that'd be impossible to do in reality if you can't see the video beforehand? This erroneous demonstration also exposes its biggest flaw (which you worded out above) in a backhanded sort of way. It shows they actually just wanted a Snapchat clone but, in adding the 'reply to unlock' feature, have completely broken the dynamic Edit: So I just read further on in the article I saw this: 'If you see a sling that’s particularly inspiring, you can reply with a reaction shot or video that can be viewed immediately. You’ll get the top half of the original sling, and can react with the bottom half of the screen.' I guess that makes a bit more sense but I still don't think it alleviates the problem you suggested. However, even if do that you still have to send a prior 'Slingshot' out to unlock it anyway. The whole things just sounds too much like 'we need a Snapchat clone that isn't a Snapchat clone.'It sounds like it could bind you in a world of drivel by the chains of social obligation.