On some days WillINeedIt is lucky enough to receive emails from enterprising new start-ups and companies who are looking for feedback on their new services. Today is one of those days.

The email I received was detailing a new service named Redux, a real-time conversational interface that centres around groups of people sharing thoughts and links that other people might find interesting.

Upon registering for the service, the first thing you are presented with is the ability to check with who you know is already using the service. All major email accounts are supported, making it very easy to connect with your friends should they have already signed up.

Moving to the next step, Redux will supply a list of people who you may find interesting (very similar to the “Suggested Users” on Twitter), helping grow connections within the community but also supplying you with quality links and media right from the start.

Using Redux

Once you have completed the post-registration steps, Redux will furnish you with the live stream of the people you have chosen to follow. Connections on Redux are similar to Twitter, once you follow a user, their updates will appear inside your stream. In a bid to centralise all replies and conversation around a posted item, Redux will display all replies underneath the item, allowing you to keep an eye on what people are saying about your activity with just the click of a button.

In a move to connect lots of members at a time, users can also subscribe to groups, catching a niche set of updates at one time. This is a feature that Twitter has lacked and one that Redux pulls off well, meaning that at any time, you can follow your friends, groups and even everyone’s updates.

Similarities

Redux takes what other social networks like Twitter and Pownce did well and puts it’s own unique twist on it. The interface shares all kinds of media like Pownce did and displays a small thumbnail so the user can view what they are to be clicking through to.

Redux also bears a similarity to Popjam, a Digg type website that allows users to vote up funny links, pictures and videos. Redux users can “Give Props”, almost a mark of excellence, so that other members can verify if the link they are to click is worth the effort.

Conclusion

Redux is still in closed beta and new additions are being made to the service all the time. The layout is functional, keeps members connected but I feel it needs a little more work in separating content as it currently makes your stream look extremely busy.

The real beauty of the service is that it removes the need to join communities like Popjam that have one specific goal, you can chat, share links and vote on stories from the Redux site, building connections as you do so.

If the Redux team can release a public API and allow third party applications to be built on their service, you could see a real competitor in the social network space.

Redux are currently allowing registration to their closed beta, click here to register.