Gogelmogel

Snoopfoot.com goes online

Just as a quick follow up to the previous report on our super dope "Snoop Loves Foobtall" pacakge for World Cup 2006, we've launched a brand site -> www.snoopfoot.com.

Currently it shows instructions how to get those neat videos and ringtones through SMS, but very soon everything will stand up - Paylpal Purchase, online downloads and even exclusive skypetones!

If you are into street culture, Urban music and good funky vibes, you should check it out :)

(Tags: world cup 2006, world-cup-2006, warren g, snoop dogg, videotone, video ringtone, mobile video, digital music, craze digital )

Skype/EMI deal - where are they going?

So the new collaboration deal between Skype and EMI Music Publishing raises again the speculations about the reachable horizons for the "SkypeTunes" store. The new Personalise Skype area would probably be exposed soon.

Phil at Skype Journal has written a great post on the possible avenues for Skype to progress with a compelling music downloads offering to its users, harnessing its unique social and VoIP abilities to introduce an attractive new user experience.

Contemplating also that Skype just can't let this colossal potential to slip aside, I shared my thoughts with Jessie from the Mercury News (thanks again Jessie).

However, it's clear that for now, Skype's moto is ringtones, and I'll follow up shortly how I see the ringtones and ringbacks arena for Skype (I tend to think that ringbacks are more relevant).

SJ also issued a short post later citing Skype's insider that at the moment they are focusing on ringtones, and aren't looking to challenge iTunes. So it's a matter of time, then?

My guess is that yes (and honestly I know nothing about their plans), and the interesting question would be:

• How Skype (by itself or maybe even through the developers community) will eventually decide to shape this essential new music experience, by presenting new "Skype-driven" ways for users to interact, share and get excited with music?

Phil's ideas are right on for that, and I hope I could share some more concepts here soon.

(Tags: skype, music downloads, ringtones, digital music, iTunes, EMI)

Comeback #2 - Skype Pic'n'Roll

Yet another oldie mockup I found while arranging my folders yesterday.

Honsetly - it was really made without any inspiration from the Yahoo/AIM image roll feature, which I wasn't aware of at that time.

But Anyway, sharing images is now becoming a defacto feature for IM, and this one was just an idea a year ago, how Skype's dead space on the chat window can be used for it. Would be really useful for me :)

• Image #1 - Showing pics to a friend
• Image #2 - Developers chat on bugs' screenshots.

 

(Tags:  skype, mockups, IM, sharing, photos, flickr )

The return of the PodCoupons

So I finally decided to wrap up all my wierd mockups (usually created during various mind situations) into a category and use a nice button to form the Mockups Zone.

Yeah there's not much now - but I hope I can find the time to upload more concept that currently just lie on my Onenote tabs.

But anyway, let's first give light to one of the oldies, which was first posted on SkypeJournal a year  ago...(thanks again for posting it, Stuart).

It's the PodCoupon trick:

• Subscribe to Podcoupons channels (audio coupond, 30 sec like jingles).
• Load them to your iPod or mobile skype (when...?)
• Play to the seller and redeem your discount :)
• Ah, share with friends of course.

 

It's a fun-thing, don't think I assume people would adopt it. But anyway, I was thinking maybe it could inject some freshness to both sides of the equation.

Advertisers might gain a wider distribution for coupons, relying on the viral effect that Skype, RSS and posdcasts have, stirring them from the old boring concept of paper image.

Consumers might just find it as a cool new trendy digital lifestyle "see me" stuff. Who knows...but it does take something from the experience of ringtones - as people express themselves through sounds and music, while getting the public attention.

Can anyone think of specific retail segments where it might be cool? Probably anything with brands I guess (clothing, perfumes, underwear).

Drop your ideas :)

(Tags: podcoupon, podcast, skype, digital lifestyle, mockups )

Something exciting is coming for Skype

Two weeks ago I mentioned an up and coming super cool startup from China, which I've been really enthusiatic about.

Qface is way more than just funny and creative IM animations for Skype, Google Talk and the desktop. Looking at some of the upcoming features, it seems to hold a great potential as a social entertainment tool. I've got so addicted to the beta version I have, I just can't wait for the official launch. There's currently an early version that's available only for the Chinese market, but in a month or so we should get the full v1 out.

(Tags: qface, skype, IM, animation, entertainment )

I need a Skype RemindMe...

A week ago in SkypeJournal, Phil has written an excellent post with thoughts and ideas of Skype being a "personal memoir space".

I share many of his suggestions there, and while reading them I recalled an idea I had in the past for a 'reminder tool' that will simply connect notes & todo's with your contacts in real time.

So it's time to return to the mockups arena once again. I kinda like it actually.

Here's the lowdown:

• Set your notes and todo's per contacts. Here I associated 4 notes to discuss with...myself :)
• Decide when you want the reminder to appear - on call, on email, on IM message, when mousing over contact's name, mobile call (skype for mobile...).
• Set tags

Pretty simple, and I have to admit that I need such a solution very much. Too often I miss some questions or items I wanted to discuss with someone, just because they aren't visible to me while communicating with him or her. Word, OneNote, Txt files - are all nice containers for data, but they don't make it appear in front of you when you need it the most.

Here's the same RemindMe bubble popping when viewing an email:

And what about MSN and other IM clients?

And of course, when a Skype call is initiated:

Ok, we got it I suppose. The aim is obviously to link with any digital communication method - and since Skype has presence in both PC's and mobiles, it's an obvious candidate.

You can also see the mockups on Flickr: Skype Contacts, Skype Call, MSN, Outlook.

I'd love to hear comments and ideas - Have you also felt a need for such a tool? How you are organizing your todo's and chat items?

(Tags: skype, mockup, IM, todo)

PowerSkype beta takes off

This week I've joined a limited beta test for a new Skype plug-in called "PowerSkype". Together with other lucky 99 Skypers.

The plug-in currently features a very good call recroding capability, and the plans are to introduce more powerfull features for the power skypers - including Office integration and other tools for interweaving Skype into our daily tasks. Sounds promising !

Gimme some Skype Mini-casting

Serving Skypecasting to the Masses.

Here's something I'd really like to have in Skype.

An option to share a single short voice message with my contacts list.

Not a podcast.

Just a tiny message that reflects a notion, thought, tip, comment on something you read on the paper. A rant, joke, cry, confession, teaser, insight or even a snippet from a favorite song.

Recording is limited to 3 or mayb e 4 minuters. We want to stay in "mini" mode here.

Skype Mini-cast could be a loyal brother to the personal avatar - a compact and easy feel-venting channel.

The whole process should be rather simple and fun for the average user who doesn't have the experience and time to construct a full outlined podcast.

Just fire your blurbs, Add a short title, and post to your contacts list. 5 mins max.

In the screenshot - I'm taking a short piss on the guys that organise the Coca-Cola music village. Apparently they made a very lame and stupid decision to prohibit visitors from using cameras. Looks like some people here don't really understand what's an open culture.  They forbid visitors from taking pics in order to put exclusive content on their website. Shame.

Skype tickles Vodafone

SkypeJournal have nicely visualized their take on the recent declaration from Vodafone Germany to stand against Skype and other VoIP services. It's probably the first reaction from a mobile operator to Skype's intensifying tickles.

So I've been thinking, let's dig deeper into the Vodafone guys nightmares:

Manchester United is the world's biggest football club, sponsored by Vodafone on the last 4 years.

Well, I'd say the Skype logo fits nicely for aces Wayne Rooney and Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

No offense of course, just a way to present another interpretation. I have sympathy for Man Utd :)

Live8 and Skype?

Phil at SkypeJournal has recently thrown a interesting thought about placing a simple "Vote " button inside Skype, asking what it can be useful for.

Well, 4 days after watching Live8, I've been thinking:

What could have been the numbers or supporters had the Live8 organizers tried to partner with IM clients and Skype?

Exactly as Phil said - just a simple "vote" button floating. Imagine that only 10% of all users on MSN, Yahoo, AOL and Skype are willing to make such a vote.

Both Charity campaigns and IM client could benefit from integration of such "vote" buttons. Massive promotion and a fresh Altruistic polish to the brand image.

However, while MSN, Yahoo and AOL are all part of colossal media channels, it seems that rather Skype, being a small, "underground" , non-conglomerate entity - might find greater interest in such collaboration.

In fact - I'm quite coming to the conclusion that Skype had missed here an amazing opportuinity for world-wide promotion for free.

Think about this PR release:

Skype is collaborating with Live8 organizers to provide instant signing through a free phone call and 'Vote' buttons

Who will be the first to utilize this massive channels?