iSkoot, the startup that specializes in creating software for the billions of mobile phones that aren’t smartphones, has released its new Kalaida Platform, allowing users to access their social networks, RSS feeds, and Email from their basic cell phones. The platform is the same one that powers iSkoot’s recently-released Notifier application available on AT&T’s Media Mall, but will be available to a broad range of carriers and has more supported services.
The platform includes support for Facebook, Email, instant messaging, and RSS news services, and international carriers can add or remove services to suit their regions. Kalaida Platform is a big step for the company, which was previously best known for its mobile Skype client. The platform stems from iSkoot’s acquision of Social.im last September.
iSkoot’s Kalaida Platform works with most phones, but it still requires a dataplan – something that many users with basic phones don’t have (at least in the United States). The carriers will love this, as it will drive some users to spring for their unlimited data packages, but iSkoot will still have to fend off competitors, who include Mig33 and Trutap.
We should also note that iSkoot has finally ditched its funky purple skooter logo in favor of something a little more professional (looks like that $19 million funding round paid off).
Seems like a very useful tool for folks without smart phones, but I feel that if people really want all those capabilities won’t they just get a smart phone later on?
http://tr.im/gk8j
I agree. Those who will opt for unlimited data package on a phone not capable of displaying rich media will soon be frustrated by poor value proposition. So, they will spring for a device with more functionality (screen, keyboard, memory, music, applications, etc.)
Don’t forget about the rest of the world. There are billions of phones currently in use all over the planet that aren’t exactly “smart”, so why not brighten them up with some extended functionality.
Not everyone can spring for the latest devices willy nilly. Especially when they’re not available.
I say bravo to the idea.
I agree with Pete. The non smart phone market is a huge market that is not going away anytime soon. Congrats to the iSkoot team for bringing interactivity and the latest & greatest to these “dumb” devices.
smartphones are getting cheaper …
I can’t for the life of me figure out how to stinkin install this on my phone – anyone?
non-smart phones is a huge market, but whether or not they’ll use it to access social networks is yet to be proven. I believe people get non-smart phones for basic use (text and call) and nothing else, hope they prove me wrong.
This has been done already. I think Pinger has been doing this type of thing for all US based mobile phones since the beginning of last year.
This is a pretty great program since, as said above, there are many normal phone users in developing countries who rely on wireless communicatin for vital information. I’ve been interested in a project called javarosa that equips public health workers with a simple but efficient and reliable way of collecting data in the field on their very basic phones.