Seems like Om is extending his brand into the mobile domain. He now has an applet, GigaOm Moblet*, that is as an RSS reader for all of Om’s feeds.
MobHappy also has a branded RSS reader (including their favourite RSS feeds).
I think this is all so cool. Media outlets creating a compelling app for their readers. This self-service mobilization includes also the many sites mobilized via WINKsite, a personal mobile portal service I mentioned earlier (see upper left of my blog for my WINKsite or visit
http://winksite.com/cschick/mobile with your phone). Om uses WINKsite as well. Check out the list of other sites that are mobilizing with WINKsite.
Link: Om Malik on Broadband : � New Tools GigaLinks and User Feedback.
We are in a new year, so its time for something new. For starters, I am introducing a new mobile RSS reader which lets you get GigaOM on your mobile phone, along with feeds from some of my recommended blogs. In other words, a tiny GigaOm branded mobile application.
* Great name. Alas, the applet runs only on a small set of phones and
is only available for phones in the US (due to the poor distribution
mechanism). I’d check it out if I could just download it.
Hi Charlie, on this rare occasion, I’m going to disagree with you. Wow! I think that’s the first time in a year.. And now, I’ve forgotten how to type either of those company’s names. So how can I write about them? Can’t. Won’t.
Anyway, the feed reader companies who create a special app or applet for high profile bloggers that aren’t available to all is very anti long tail and a disappointing development. Can you create a reader like the one made for Mobhappy? Can you use mfoundry to create a reader with your recommendations for those of us who read you like OM’s? No you can’t. Rather than attracting me these companies are putting me off. I have a negative opinion of them rather than a positive one which I’m sure is what they had hoped for.
Winksite is the exception. Mohappy can have a reader with recommended feeds, but so can I. I’ve asked Dave for the ability to brand my winksite and will sing his praises when he delivers on that promise.
But my point is that OM’s reader and whatever service the guys at Mobhappy used are not DIY. Those were, “we’ll do it for these guys that we know or that have big audiences and too bad for the rest of you.” And I say, no…to bad for you
mojo, you’re right. you’re agreeing with a part of my mind that i didn’t put here.
i actually was aware that these two java apps are more like do-it-via-some-agreement-and-someone-else and wasn’t sure how to fit it in, deciding it would be for another day.
the thought for the other day: i’d like to see some sort of website where i could pull components together and voilá, i have a little app i can distribute. then, that would be d-i-y.
what excited me about these two apps, and you gotta agree, is that it points to a trend of more niche apps. ok, so not necessarily d-i-y, but getting there.
thanks for calling me out on that.
🙂
Yes, you’re right. The trend is important and I know that we agree it will continue and even snowball at some point.
But two of those examples are marketing campaigns and one, winksite, is a service. I guess that distinction was important to me.
okay. okay. get ready to sing next week mojo. (you to darla. i didn’t forget!)
…and as far as everyone else that uses WINKsite to provide RSS-driven content to a mobile community we’re building in the ability to upload your own themes/branding.
Unlike other mobile feed readers, the feeds you subscribe to at WINKsite can be shared with visitors to your mobile space. This single difference changes the potential of how feed syndication can be utilized in a mobile environment.
Of course I’m going to agree with Mojo. While I often use MobHappy’s reader but I love the concept behind WINKSite because its totally dependent on the user. Lol, but I’m sure both you and Deb are aware of that.
Dave, you have until midnight next Saturday to complete your mission!! 🙂
indeed, i myself am more partial to web solutions since you can access them from anywhere.
i’ve been playing with blogbridge these past few days. sure the interface is great, but i can’t access it on my mobile. they do have a service that stores all the stuff online, but that’s just to be able to hop pcs. there’s no mobile interface.
so, it’s back to bloglines.