Comments on: Blabnote: The Voice-Only Social Network. Say What? http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/ Startup and Technology News Sun, 06 Jul 2008 09:54:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Sachendra Yadav http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2337634 Sachendra Yadav Fri, 30 May 2008 10:56:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2337634 Seems like the founders haven't tried voice recognition on production phones out in the market. If they did, they would have trashed the idea in the bud. Besides that, there's a lot more that a mobile can offer to social networking, how a client with limited abilities succeed in this highly competitive market is beyond me. By the way, I have gone through a couple of mobile social networks out there and they are nowhere near my expectations. So I decided to list down a few scenarios http://sachendra.wordpress.com/2008/05/27/what-i-want-from-my-mobile-social-network/ Seems like the founders haven’t tried voice recognition on production phones out in the market. If they did, they would have trashed the idea in the bud.
Besides that, there’s a lot more that a mobile can offer to social networking, how a client with limited abilities succeed in this highly competitive market is beyond me.

By the way, I have gone through a couple of mobile social networks out there and they are nowhere near my expectations. So I decided to list down a few scenarios
http://sachendra.wordpress.com.....l-network/

]]> By: Gadgeteer10 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2315401 Gadgeteer10 Wed, 21 May 2008 10:55:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2315401 Cool idea, but I wonder how popular will it be, the commands will have to be very limited and also how good is the voice recognition system? I have never met a system that was working perfect. Congratulations and Good luck to you, I hope you succeed! Cool idea, but I wonder how popular will it be, the commands will have to be very limited and also how good is the voice recognition system?
I have never met a system that was working perfect.
Congratulations and Good luck to you, I hope you succeed!

]]> By: To Voice-Based Businesses: Do You Speak Zulu? « Blurring Borders http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2311101 To Voice-Based Businesses: Do You Speak Zulu? « Blurring Borders Tue, 20 May 2008 06:36:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2311101 [...] number of typical operations: create groups, leave voice mails, conference call, etc. As TechCrunch puts it, BlabNote will have a long, uphill [...] [...] number of typical operations: create groups, leave voice mails, conference call, etc. As TechCrunch puts it, BlabNote will have a long, uphill [...]

]]> By: Andy Wong http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2307822 Andy Wong Mon, 19 May 2008 03:33:01 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2307822 I was about to say it is heading to the dead pool, before I read "But if it aspires to become a large social network, this company is going to be teetering perilously close to the DeadPool.". Anyway, still, as it can be good for blind people, so if the company could target the markets well and get enough funding from government grants and charity, the site may still well survive. I was about to say it is heading to the dead pool, before I read “But if it aspires to become a large social network, this company is going to be teetering perilously close to the DeadPool.”.

Anyway, still, as it can be good for blind people, so if the company could target the markets well and get enough funding from government grants and charity, the site may still well survive.

]]> By: jas http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2306590 jas Sun, 18 May 2008 16:28:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2306590 By the way are you bootstrapped with ur own cash like us or do you have out side funding ?? By the way are you bootstrapped with ur own cash like us or do you have out side funding ??

]]> By: jas http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2306581 jas Sun, 18 May 2008 16:26:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2306581 Hey to the boys from blabnote in Liverpool,hope you succeed as i'm just down the road in Birmingham and just weeks from my startup launch myself. Hey to the boys from blabnote in Liverpool,hope you succeed as i’m just down the road in Birmingham and just weeks from my startup launch myself.

]]> By: Jon from Blabnote http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2305458 Jon from Blabnote Sun, 18 May 2008 07:26:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2305458 SPoink is just a voice blogging service like that which a billion other providers offer. i could list 10 right now! its nothing like blabnote at all....dont try and jump on our bandwagon, build your own! :-) blabnote is WITHOUT DOUBT the first application of it's kind. SPoink is just a voice blogging service like that which a billion other providers offer. i could list 10 right now! its nothing like blabnote at all….dont try and jump on our bandwagon, build your own! :-) blabnote is WITHOUT DOUBT the first application of it’s kind.

]]> By: Erik http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2304835 Erik Sun, 18 May 2008 00:17:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2304835 I beg to differ. Spoink.com has been offering a toll free voice-enabled social network and blogging site for the past 2 months as a private 'beta' and last we launched as a public 'beta'. Calls are toll free and they accept audio, video pictures and text via email, IM, web and of course dial up to their toll free number 1-888-8-spoink. They also offer a multi-user blog environment for events, families and friends. I beg to differ. Spoink.com has been offering a toll free voice-enabled social network and blogging site for the past 2 months as a private ‘beta’ and last we launched as a public ‘beta’. Calls are toll free and they accept audio, video pictures and text via email, IM, web and of course dial up to their toll free number 1-888-8-spoink. They also offer a multi-user blog environment for events, families and friends.

]]> By: Jason http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2304536 Jason Sat, 17 May 2008 21:24:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2304536 NickeyD , in what reality are you based? NickeyD , in what reality are you based?

]]> By: Jason Kincaid http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2304446 Jason Kincaid Sat, 17 May 2008 20:23:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2304446 @Charles According to Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, they can be used interchangeably. Nice rant though. @Charles

According to Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, they can be used interchangeably. Nice rant though.

]]> By: Charles http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2304182 Charles Sat, 17 May 2008 18:18:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2304182 Man... If only I had a buck for every time some moron used the term "voice recognition" when they meant "speech recognition"!! Voice recognition is a biometric technique for distinguishing your voice from mine. You don't have to say anything intelligible to do that... just grunt. Speech recognition refers to computer translation of the spoken word into something store-able like text. Grunt and speech recognition software comes up with nothing. When will people get it right (or pay me for their stupidity!) ? Man…

If only I had a buck for every time some moron used the term “voice recognition” when they meant “speech recognition”!!

Voice recognition is a biometric technique for distinguishing your voice from mine. You don’t have to say anything intelligible to do that… just grunt.

Speech recognition refers to computer translation of the spoken word into something store-able like text. Grunt and speech recognition software comes up with nothing.

When will people get it right (or pay me for their stupidity!) ?

]]> By: FauxGentleman http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2304150 FauxGentleman Sat, 17 May 2008 18:06:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2304150 Waste of time. Waste of time.

]]> By: NickeyD http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2304052 NickeyD Sat, 17 May 2008 17:25:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2304052 Interesting. If they design it right, could become the next-gen podcast. Interesting. If they design it right, could become the next-gen podcast.

]]> By: Nat http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2304036 Nat Sat, 17 May 2008 17:18:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2304036 @7, I wonder too, what does it solve and what purpose?. Nat www.workersinc.com @7, I wonder too, what does it solve and what purpose?.

Nat
http://www.workersinc.com

]]> By: Harry http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2303769 Harry Sat, 17 May 2008 15:31:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2303769 Seems quite nice idea Seems quite nice idea

]]> By: ivv http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2303730 ivv Sat, 17 May 2008 15:20:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2303730 An interesting tool for blind people. An interesting tool for blind people.

]]> By: eroding afternoon daydream http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2303653 eroding afternoon daydream Sat, 17 May 2008 14:38:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2303653 One of the wildest lines from a beta homepage. ever. "The whole thing is just beautifully easy to use and concedes inferiority only to the lingering sparkle of an eroding afternoon daydream." One of the wildest lines from a beta homepage. ever.

“The whole thing is just beautifully easy to use and concedes inferiority only to the lingering sparkle of an eroding afternoon daydream.”

]]> By: Margy Rydzynski http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2303635 Margy Rydzynski Sat, 17 May 2008 14:29:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2303635 I'm intrigued by this application. I have a number of friends who are either completely blind, or blind enough so that seeing a screen of any size is extremely difficult. I could see this as a useful social networking tool for this population. Also, there are a lot of people who don't use computers but who would like to keep in touch. Not everyone's comfortable with computers or wants one at home. I see this as computer-free social networking that's voice-activated, exactly like a telephone only with more scope. Bravo! I'm sending a link to a lot of people I know. Hope it lasts! I’m intrigued by this application. I have a number of friends who are either completely blind, or blind enough so that seeing a screen of any size is extremely difficult. I could see this as a useful social networking tool for this population. Also, there are a lot of people who don’t use computers but who would like to keep in touch. Not everyone’s comfortable with computers or wants one at home. I see this as computer-free social networking that’s voice-activated, exactly like a telephone only with more scope. Bravo! I’m sending a link to a lot of people I know. Hope it lasts!

]]> By: Oliver Meakings http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2303425 Oliver Meakings Sat, 17 May 2008 12:46:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2303425 I think social network is a bit of a misnomer here. This looks like a mobile application / utility. Very odd not to have a web interface, wonder if the voice recognition stuff really is as good as they say.. if so, could be useful. I think social network is a bit of a misnomer here. This looks like a mobile application / utility. Very odd not to have a web interface, wonder if the voice recognition stuff really is as good as they say.. if so, could be useful.

]]> By: beerinator http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2303269 beerinator Sat, 17 May 2008 11:37:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2303269 Isn't it fairly easy to spoof the caller id? Wouldn't this mean you could screw around with your friend's stuff since they claim no usernames or passwords are required? Sounds a bit scary to me. Isn’t it fairly easy to spoof the caller id?

Wouldn’t this mean you could screw around with your friend’s stuff since they claim no usernames or passwords are required?

Sounds a bit scary to me.

]]> By: Ashish http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2303084 Ashish Sat, 17 May 2008 09:23:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2303084 Great at least someone is thinking beyond boring Social sites. Social is the Future.. Good progress by Blabnote. I am going to post update about it on my site http://www.hurricanesoftwares.com Great at least someone is thinking beyond boring Social sites. Social is the Future.. Good progress by Blabnote. I am going to post update about it on my site http://www.hurricanesoftwares.com

]]> By: yay http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2303044 yay Sat, 17 May 2008 09:01:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2303044 Wow, clearly this is useful...not. Wow, clearly this is useful…not.

]]> By: Azhar http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2303013 Azhar Sat, 17 May 2008 08:34:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2303013 Nice concept but they have forgotten to take practical considerations while making this site. They should make a neat application or add on with this. It would work better. Nice concept but they have forgotten to take practical considerations while making this site. They should make a neat application or add on with this. It would work better.

]]> By: France attacked in Poland http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2302996 France attacked in Poland Sat, 17 May 2008 08:17:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2302996 France attacked in Poland... http://blogs.lexpress.fr/virtuel/ France attacked in Poland… http://blogs.lexpress.fr/virtuel/

]]> By: Nicholas http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2302917 Nicholas Sat, 17 May 2008 07:36:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/16/blabnote-the-voice-only-social-network-say-what/#comment-2302917 When I read the TechCrunch post for this, I said this is a sure bet for the deadpool. Now that I visited their website, it seems to make a lot more sense. If 'Blabnote' can solve the 'conference call' problem many of us face when travelling, or can really give me the possibility to send a voice mail to several people with just one call, great. I don't quite see the business model and any start up should treat their website as a business, but if they can highlight their USP strongly enough, then this can be a winner. Good luck guys! When I read the TechCrunch post for this, I said this is a sure bet for the deadpool.

Now that I visited their website, it seems to make a lot more sense. If ‘Blabnote’ can solve the ‘conference call’ problem many of us face when travelling, or can really give me the possibility to send a voice mail to several people with just one call, great.

I don’t quite see the business model and any start up should treat their website as a business, but if they can highlight their USP strongly enough, then this can be a winner.

Good luck guys!

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