WindowSwap
Window Swap is a website allowing users to explore video views through windows from around the world. It provides participants with a simple form of cultural exchange and virtual travel, offering glimpses into everyday life in different areas of the world.[1][2] History and conceptThe site was launched in mid‑2020 during the global COVID‑19 pandemic by Sonali Ranjit and Vaishnav Balasubramaniam, a couple based in Singapore.[3] The site features short video clips submitted by users from around the world. Each submission consists of a 10‑minute HD recording of the view from a window, often accompanied by natural ambient sound.[4] These clips range from urban streets and countryside landscapes to ocean views and interior scenes, offering a glimpse into the everyday lives of people in various locations.[5] Once uploaded, videos are played at random, allowing viewers to virtually "open a new window" somewhere in the world with a single click.[6] Locations span a wide range of countries, including Singapore, Switzerland, Brazil, Austria, Japan, and the United Kingdom.[7] All submissions are reviewed by the founders to ensure they meet basic guidelines before being published.[8] Although the platform originally featured only a few dozen videos, it quickly grew to include thousands of clips as interest surged globally.[9] Media coverage praised the platform for being therapeutic, creative, and humanity‑affirming during a time of widespread isolation.[10] StatisticsAs of early October 2020, Window Swap had amassed over 6,000 submitted videos, but only a subset of 130 were selected for publication on the platform at any given time.[11] By 2021, the site reported receiving tens of thousands of submissions from more than 120 countries and had attracted a global audience of approximately 500,000 unique visitors per month, resulting in over 20 million total views.[12] By one source, total submissions had exceeded 8,000 at an earlier stage of growth, though precise figures were not updated beyond that point.[13] References
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