Oz Bringing MySpace, Friendster, Others to Your Phone
- December 6th, 2006
- Read 1370 times
- 4 Comments
Oz is the Montreal-based company that makes most of the instant-messaging clients for cellphone manufacturers and network operators. If you’ve sent a mobile IM, you’ve probably used its software. And now Oz is taking the next step, with MySpace and Friendster clients in the works that should hit handsets next year.
Helio currently is the only network operator with built-in MySpace access on its handsets, though Cingular has txt alerts and is working on something more for next year. If things keep going like this, then it’s plausible that within a fairly short period of time, people will be using their handsets as social-networking gateways as often and as readily as they use their computers.
This type of instant social networking (we’re coining a term here) could change market forces measurably, as well as how we socialize. For better or worse, it’s too early to tell, but with this type of networking and the rising popularity of QWERTY on handsets, we might never “talk” on our phones again.
Ezekiel
2006-12-06 16:35:07
I guess I’m old school but I never caught onto the whole MySpace phenomena. I guess I’d rather talk to people in person. YouTube would be pretty cool tho.
Reply
Seth Porges
2006-12-06 16:38:57
Helio’s ads dont say it, obviously, but anyone with mobile web access on their phone can check their myspace messages.
Reply
Peter
2006-12-06 20:24:31
Well, the interesting thing is this announcement came from Oz and not Myspace. I think this is PR fluff, they name drop a few social networks, but I can guarantee they do not have these deals in place. They are doing something like what Rabble is trying to do, but ultimately they have to do deals directly with the social networks since they will want a rev share on the access.
Reply
Chris
2006-12-06 21:10:38
I worked for OZ in another life. They have some fantastic talent, and I have no doubt that they are ‘bridging the gap’ between social networks and wireless devices. They were really at the forefront of the mobile IM market and haven’t ever marketed some of the amazing products that I saw them develop. I see this as a natural progression for them. Expect great things!
Reply