Changelog

Everything I've added and fixed since day one, newest first. Thank you to everyone who told me when something wasn't working.

1. Oct 4

   Watching together, first

   The front page says what SecretPear is for, a room opens ready to watch, and when the film ends there is something else to do together.

   • BetterThe front page says what SecretPear is for. Watch together, and feel like you're actually together.
   • BetterA new room opens ready to watch something, and tells you it's ready for you to invite your person.
   • BetterAn invitation says who wants to watch something with you, and what you can do once you're in.
   • NewReact while you watch. Six reactions rise over the picture on both screens.
   • NewWhen your person arrives, the room tells you you're together.
   • NewWhen a video ends, the room asks if you're still hanging out, and offers the Hollow or a mystery.
   • BetterChat is called Messages now.

2. Oct 3

   PearPlace and themes

   Your place has its name, something new waits at its edge for two of you, four themes have new art, and the Hollow is drawn again, with an Echo waiting the second time down.

   • BetterTo go into the Hollow, one of you touches the portal and is pulled inside. The other sees where they went and touches it to follow, and you fall in together.
   • BetterNothing in the Hollow moves until both of you have landed.
   • BetterThe Twin Lanterns go out only when each of you hits one at the same moment, and each of the Guardian's wards needs one of you.
   • NewWhen Moon's Lance lands on something Sun just stunned, it hits much harder, and the Hollow tells you that was together.
   • NewThe Guardian's Hall is dark when you walk in, and the Guardian wakes up in front of you.
   • NewWhen the Guardian falls, its heart rises and comes to you both. Back home, it comes out of the portal and hangs beside it.
   • NewGo back down after the Guardian falls and you meet its Echo. The same Hollow in a colder light, harder, and only beaten together. Beat it and a light for each of you hangs over the portal.
   • BetterIn the Hollow, Sun and Moon each have their own colour around them, so you can always tell who is who.
   • BetterThe Hollow fills more of your screen, on a laptop and on a phone held either way.
   • FixedLeaving the Hollow asks first, because it ends for both of you.
   • FixedIf one of you is gone from the Hollow for a minute and a half, the other goes back home, and either of you can step through again.
   • FixedIf the Hollow can't start, it says so without pausing your video.
   • BetterThe Hollow is painted in twice the detail. Every creature has its own moves and eyes that glow in the dark, and the Guardian lifts its fists before it strikes.
   • BetterThe Hollow's rooms are new. Giant roots and fireflies in the Glade, banners and lanterns on the Bridge, stained glass in the Guardian's Hall.
   • BetterIn the Hollow, your strike swings the moment you press it, and a big hit lands with a jolt.
   • BetterOn a phone, the Hollow fills the width of your screen.
   • FixedOn a phone, the Hollow says to tap Pear Link, not to press a key.
   • BetterThe Hollow shows your skills now, each with its key, what it does and how long until you can use it again.
   • BetterThe Hollow tells you where you are in the adventure and what each room wants from you, wave by wave, with the health of the Twin Lanterns and the Guardian.
   • FixedNames in the Hollow are sharp, and every hit shows how much it did.
   • NewPress H in the Hollow to see how to play.
   • BetterLove, Gamer, K-pop and Y2K have new rooms across the top of your Pear, drawn in much more detail.
   • NewLove, Gamer, K-pop and Y2K each have a new piece in the corner of your chat. Roses with a love letter, a treasure chest with a heart, a cloud with a heart, and a chrome heart.
   • NewLove and Gamer have new pictures at the start of a chat, two glasses by candlelight and two controllers tied together by a heart. Gamer also has an arcade machine under your Pears.
   • BetterLove, Gamer, K-pop and Y2K have new icons, and their little hearts and sparkles are crisp.
   • BetterLove, Gamer, K-pop and Y2K are lit now. Every piece glows in its theme's own light, Love's buttons are rose gold and K-pop's shine like a lightstick.
   • BetterIn Appearance, each theme's card shows a piece of its art, so you can see what you get before you buy.
   • NewSomething is waiting at the edge of PearPlace. It only shows itself when two of you are there, and it takes both of you to open it.
   • BetterWhat waits at the edge of PearPlace is much bigger now and easy to find, and once it opens, it swirls with light.
   • NewThe Hollow. An adventure for two, under the clouds. Each of you has your own part to play, and you can only win it together.
   • NewYour Story. Your Memories now start with the things you've done together, each one with the day it happened.
   • BetterMemories hold still until you point at one, so a full wall is easy on your computer.
   • FixedA room that was already open when SecretPear updated keeps up with games, cases and the Photo Booth.
   • FixedIn the Hollow, if your connection drops for a moment, your pear stands still until you're back.
   • BetterYour place is called PearPlace now.
   • BetterIn PearPlace, the camera and the chess table ask before they start something for everyone.
   • BetterWhen you close CASE 1134, it tells you its stamp is waiting for you in PearPlace.
   • FixedTake a photo out of your book and it comes off the board in PearPlace too.
   • FixedLeaving a gift on a slow connection works now, and the gift is left once.
   • BetterButtons in PearPlace are bigger on a phone, so they're easier to press.
   • BetterPearPlace's sky and lights take much less of your computer now, so everything else stays smooth.

3. Oct 2

   Your own place, and a photo book

   Your room keeps what you do in it, and your Photo Booth strips go in a book you both arrange.

   • NewYour place. Every room now opens on a little island of your own, floating in the night sky, and what you do there leaves something behind on it.
   • NewThe island is alive at night. Lanterns glow, fireflies wander, the waterfall runs, smoke rises from the little house and an aurora drifts across the sky.
   • BetterThe sky over your place is painted now. A big moon, a river of stars, an aurora rippling over the island, shooting stars, and a sea of clouds drifting by below.
   • FixedResizing the side panel with your place open is smooth now. It used to stutter.
   • NewWhoever is in the room stands on the island as their pear, with your pet beside you.
   • NewPick which pear you are. Press your pear on the island and choose from 125 pears. Everyone in your Pears sees it.
   • New42 living pears. Fireworks, a rainbow, a UFO, a witch's hat, a heart balloon and more. Each one comes alive when you point at it.
   • New77 new colors for your pear, from soft milky pastels to neon and glowing opal.
   • FixedYour place remembers everything you did, even from before it existed. A case you closed, your first time together and every photo you kept are there now.
   • BetterYour place keeps what happens in it even when the internet has a bad minute. It saves it as soon as it can.
   • FixedOn a phone, Invite is at the top of your place now, so you can invite someone without closing it.
   • NewA tree grows in your place when something new happens there. Press it to see why it grew and what grows it next.
   • NewLeave a gift. It waits under the tree until somebody else opens it, words and all.
   • NewPhotos you keep get pinned to the board by the path, and closing CASE 1134 together leaves its stamp on the case.
   • NewLook around your place. Not everything in it is on show.
   • NewA photo book in every Pear. When you finish a Photo Booth strip, press Save to our book and it lands on a page for both of you.
   • NewMove, turn and resize the photos in your book together. You each see the other's changes right away.
   • NewWrite a little note under a photo, pick how it sits on the page, or take it out of the book. Changed your mind? Press Undo.

4. Oct 1

   CASE 1134 has its own page

   Start the case in one press and bring one person into it.

   • NewCASE 1134 has its own page. Press Start case and you're in the case, waiting for one more detective.
   • BetterThe link you send for the case opens the case. Your partner presses Join the case and you're both on it.
   • BetterWhen you solve the case, you can keep your Pear and go straight to your own chat together.
   • BetterCASE 1134 is harder to guess now. Every suspect has something to hide.

5. Sep 29 to 30

   Photo Booth and a pet for your Pear

   Take photos together, raise a pet together, and use SecretPear in Spanish.

   • NewThe Photo Booth. Take six photos together, keep your four favorites, and make one strip with ten free pixel frames to pick from.
   • NewBeauty, in the Photo Booth, smooths skin and clears spots on your own photos.
   • NewA pet for every Pear. It hatches and grows as you two spend time together. You can name it, give it treats and dress it up.
   • NewSecretPear in Spanish, all over the site.
   • NewUse your phone as your camera. Scan a QR code and you're set, no app needed.
   • NewStream your Switch, Steam Deck or console through a capture card, with the game's sound.
   • BetterRooms have four tabs, Watch, Play, Photo and Share.
   • BetterCASE 1134 looks like a real case file at night, and its clues are easier to follow.
   • BetterEach chess set has its own board.
   • BetterSound from a shared screen comes through in stereo.
   • BetterA new front page that shows everything you can do together.
   • BetterClearer, friendlier words all over the site.
   • FixedYour camera picks your webcam, not a capture card.

6. Sep 26 to 28

   Game night

   A detective case for two, chess, puzzles, letters, and two new themes.

   • NewSecretPear Mysteries. CASE 1134 is a detective case for two. You each find clues the other can't see, so you have to talk it out.
   • NewChess, with three sets to pick from, Classic, Cute and Gamer.
   • NewJigsaw puzzles to do together, from 24 up to 150 pieces. Use one of the pictures or one of your own photos.
   • NewPick Together, to vote on what to watch or where to eat.
   • NewSecretPear Letters. Send someone a little animated pixel letter by link, for free.
   • NewAdd a gift to a letter, like a virtual rose or a teddy bear.
   • NewAngelic, a kingdom in the clouds in cream and gold. You can try it before you buy it.
   • NewOldgen, your first computer after school, with a CRT glow.
   • NewTikTok videos play in rooms too.
   • NewSix secret and super secret frames that come alive.
   • BetterWhen you invite someone to a game, the invite says what you're playing.
   • BetterAnyone in the room can add to Up next.
   • BetterWhen someone joins late or skips ahead, everyone lines up closer together.
   • BetterIf a video can't play here, you can skip it, open it, or share it instead.
   • FixedPear notifications reach your phone, and the switch shows whether they're on for this phone.
   • FixedIf your Wi-Fi changes, the room reconnects by itself.

7. Sep 24 to 25

   Getting ready for everyone

   Themes, smoother calls, cameras you can move around, and a better Netflix extension.

   • NewThemes! Love, Gamer, K-pop and Y2K change how the whole app looks. You can try each one before you buy it.
   • NewPut your own picture behind your chats, for free.
   • NewDrag cameras around, make them bigger or smaller, and put faces in any order you like.
   • NewThe Netflix side panel now has everything the website has, like pictures, replies, reactions, pins and search.
   • FixedCameras and voice connect more reliably when people join at the same time.
   • BetterCalls with three people sound as clear as calls with two.
   • FixedWhen someone leaves a call, their empty camera box goes away.
   • FixedThe Pear call shows everyone you can hear.
   • FixedA room won't say it's full when there's still space.
   • FixedIf you can't get into a room, you can try again.
   • BetterGuests can do everything in a room that accounts can.
   • FixedDragging YouTube's own timeline brings everyone with you.
   • FixedPausing stops everyone on the same spot.
   • BetterOn Netflix, if someone falls a little behind, they quietly catch up.
   • BetterIf YouTube won't let a video play here, you'll see a message saying so.
   • FixedYouTube works on iPhone again.
   • FixedGIFs and the talking lights work on phones.
   • FixedPeople with long names can make a Pear again.
   • FixedThe mic volume slider works again.
   • FixedSharing your screen with sound doesn't cause an echo.
   • BetterThe Audio menu only shows the sliders that work on your device.

8. Sep 22 to 23

   Anyone can start a room

   No account needed. Press Start room and you're in.

   • NewYou don't need an account to start a room. Just press Start room.
   • NewThe extension works with videos on other websites too, not just Netflix.
   • NewA page for long distance couples.
   • BetterThe room is cleaner, with Invite, Audio and More at the top.
   • BetterFewer buttons and simpler words all over the site.
   • BetterShare screen sits right next to Camera and Mic.
   • BetterOn a phone, the video box only shows up when something is playing.
   • BetterTo pick a Netflix show, just open it on Netflix.
   • BetterThe Linux app can share your screen.
   • FixedIf your mic stops reaching the call, it reconnects by itself.
   • FixedWhen you hand the remote to a friend, it stays with them.
   • BetterEveryone stays closer together while watching, even after someone reloads.

9. Sep 18 to 21

   The Netflix side panel

   Chat, cameras and voice right next to Netflix, and some new name effects.

   • NewThe Netflix side panel, with chat, reactions, cameras and voice right next to the show.
   • NewInvite friends from the side panel without leaving the show.
   • NewMythic name effects, like Matrix Rain.
   • NewSecret and Super Secret name effects.
   • NewSearch for GIFs in chat.
   • NewTap a picture in chat to see it bigger.
   • NewAn RP channel in the Lobby.
   • NewSee who's in a Pear call, with a light on whoever's talking.
   • FixedPhotos send even without a caption.
   • FixedIf you leave a call and come back, you can jump right back in.
   • FixedIf you get disconnected, there's a Reconnect button.
   • BetterThe Lobby opens at the newest message.
   • BetterStream your game only shows up on computers that can run it.
   • NoticedA Mac version is being tested. It isn't out yet.

10. Sep 15 to 17

    The desktop app

    SecretPear got its own app, Streamer Mode, and pictures in chat.

    • NewSecretPear for Windows.
    • NewSecretPear for Linux.
    • NewStreamer Mode. Go live and your friends can watch.
    • NewSend photos, videos, GIFs and files in chat.
    • NewAdd a friend using their number.
    • NewAdd friends to a Pear with one button, no link needed.
    • NewStay in a call while you keep chatting.
    • NewReviews and the Shop in the menu on the left.
    • BetterScreen sharing looks smoother, and everyone in a room of three can hear it.
    • BetterSecretPear uses less of your computer when it's just sitting open.
    • BetterIf your phone switches networks, you stay in the call.
    • BetterYou stay signed in for 30 days.
    • BetterThe Shop fills the whole screen on a computer.
    • FixedFrames and name effects look clean around the edges.
    • FixedSelfies upload properly.

11. Sep 11 to 14

    Chat got a lot better

    More ways to talk in a Pear, and more control over your account.

    • NewEdit or delete your messages, reply to one, or react with an emoji.
    • NewPin a message, save messages for later, and search your chat.
    • NewSee how many messages you haven't read yet.
    • NewFriend requests. Accept or decline them, and see how many are waiting.
    • NewChange your password or email, and see where you're signed in.
    • NewTwo step sign in, for extra safety.
    • NewDownload your data or delete your account whenever you want.
    • NewLook around the Shop without an account.
    • NewPick which speaker to use. SecretPear remembers your choice.
    • BetterYour Pear messages are kept. They don't disappear over time.
    • BetterIf a message doesn't send, you can try again, and unsent messages are saved for you.
    • BetterOn a phone, press and hold a message to see what you can do.
    • BetterIf you're signed in, invite links take you straight in.
    • FixedA few buttons that were hard to press work properly now.
    • FixedVideo volume works properly on phones.

12. Sep 8 to 10

    The Shop

    Ways to make your name and picture your own.

    • NewThe Shop, with name effects, frames and IDs. Try them on before you buy.
    • NewThe VIP Pack.
    • NewLegendary name effects, and five new styles. Holy, Frostbite, Jade, Rosegold and Opaline.
    • NewTen frames, four of them animated.
    • NewThe Genesis Pearl, for the very first members.
    • NewThe VIP mark.
    • NewVoice chat in a Pear that you can join and leave.
    • NewA People tab on phones, to see who's in the Lobby.
    • NewStealth, a test version for streaming your games from Windows.
    • NewPaste a video link in chat and play it.
    • FixedMessages in a Pear's room send notifications.
    • FixedBuying from the Shop works smoothly.
    • BetterIf you back out of checkout, the ID you picked goes back on sale right away.
    • BetterRarer IDs cost a little more.
    • BetterThe Lobby loads faster and uses less data.

13. Sep 5 to 7

    SecretPear on your phone

    SecretPear on your phone, and talking in a Pear without calling.

    • NewAdd SecretPear to your phone's home screen.
    • NewTalk in a Pear just by turning on your mic.
    • NewPhone notifications for Pear messages.
    • NewSwipe to remove a Pear, and start watching together with one tap.
    • NewLobby bans, to help keep the Lobby friendly.
    • BetterNames look cleaner, and the rarest colors glow.
    • BetterButtons work on the first tap.
    • FixedSafari doesn't zoom in when you start typing.
    • FixedDeleting a Pear on a phone works smoothly.
    • FixedThe mute button shows when you're muted.
    • FixedTyping in chat feels faster.
    • FixedMessages send reliably.
    • FixedThe Lobby looks right on iPhone.

14. Sep 2 to 5

    Pears and the Lobby

    A place to hang out with your people, not just a room.

    • NewPears, your private chats with the people you watch with.
    • NewSee who's online and invite them over.
    • NewConnect with someone in one tap.
    • NewEveryone gets a number and a name color.
    • NewAnimated frames, and profile pictures that move.
    • NewThe Lobby, a chat for everyone.
    • NewProfile cards.
    • NewA people list that lights up when someone talks.
    • NewA Blocked list, so you can unblock people too.
    • NewA chat filter that blocks hateful words, even misspelled ones.
    • BetterOn Netflix, everyone jumps to the right spot when someone skips ahead.
    • BetterFrames animate smoothly.
    • NoticedCrunchyroll couldn't keep everyone at the same spot, so I left it out for now.

15. Aug 28 to 31

    Twitch, rooms for three, and the extension

    More to watch, room for one more person, and the first Chrome extension.

    • NewWatch Twitch videos and live streams.
    • NewUp next, a list of what to watch next.
    • NewRooms for three people.
    • NewShare your screen.
    • NewThe first Chrome extension, with a side panel.
    • NewWatch without turning on your camera.
    • NewChoose which microphone to use.
    • NewStickers.
    • BetterCameras look sharper and smoother.
    • BetterShared screens stay smooth, even on slower internet.
    • FixedTwitch videos show up properly.
    • FixedA hiccup in one person's video won't throw everyone else off.
    • FixedCalls stay connected when your Wi-Fi wobbles.
    • FixedWhen someone turns their camera off, it shows as off.
    • NoticedNetflix needs extra care to keep everyone together, so I tested it carefully first.

16. Aug 23 to 25

    Where it started

    It started with an idea from my housemate. He wanted to watch YouTube and Netflix with his long distance partner, with webcam and voice too, so they could see and hear each other while they watched.

    • NewA private room where you watch YouTube together, at the same time.
    • NewPrivate invite links.
    • NewChat in the room.
    • NewMic and camera, so you can see and hear each other.
    • NewThe look, a night sky with two shores under one moon.
    • NewThe name SecretPear, and the winking pear.
    • FixedVoice works both ways.
    • FixedYou stay signed in properly.
    • BetterIf your mic is slow to start, SecretPear shows you where to allow it.