Mobile sharing app Path has launched a new version, which it has dubbed the “smart journal”. It has a bunch of new features designed to make sharing )of thoughts, music, people you’re with, photos and videos) easier.

Here’s the promo video:

On the Path blog, the company says:

With these new ways of sharing stories, we had to re-imagine what a Path is and what it looks like. To start, we made it so you can now see and enjoy your stories through a simple, uncluttered, full-screen view. Decorating the top of your Path is your Cover: a large photo of your choosing that serves as wallpaper for your Path. If you’re just getting started with Path, you can choose from 42 hand-picked photos by photographer John Carey or a photo from your own library. And if you’re upgrading from an earlier version of Path, you will automatically be assigned one of these pre-set photos as your Cover, with the option to customize just a few taps away.

For those of you who enjoy sharing on networks like Twitter, Foursquare, and Facebook, we’ve made it simple to check-in, upload photos and videos, and tweet directly from Path.

There’s also a new feature called Automatic, which will automatically add things about your life for you, as you go about your day.

“For example, Path updates whenever you spend time in a new neighborhood,” the company explains. “Or, if you travel to a new city, Path lets your loved ones know. Path is now a journal that writes itself. Less effort from you, more stories in your Path.”

Sounds a little creepy to me, but I guess for some it’s a cool idea. The founders do say the service is meant for close friends and family.

Here’s an interview Robert Scoble did with the founders, discussing the app:

The new Path is getting all kinds of praise from the iPhone crowd. The typically critical MG Siegler (of TechCrunch fame) goes so far on his personal blog to call Path 2 “ the most beautiful social app ever developed for iOS.”

That’s quite a testimonial from a guy who has covered a lot of apps over the years.

I downloaded the Android version, and frankly it’s been buggy at best. Clearly I’m not alone: