Jaiku’s Mobile Client & Strategy: An Overview

Robert Scoble interviews the two Finnish co-founders of Jaiku: Jyri Engestrom and Petteri Koponen. The discussion about the mobile aspect of Jaiku starts later in the video. Some interesting points:

• Nokia used the Jaiku API to create their own Jaiku application that runs on more than 300 phones; an example of a big company opening up to a small one.
• Jaiku currently in talks with mobile operators to globalize the service. They think that this makes sense because operators can give them access to users’ locations. Co-branding on the menu, i.e. Jaiku/AT&T client. Jaiku is thinking about a hybrid model where the basic Jaiku client would be available to everyone globally for free, but a more enhanced or premium version would also be offered in partnership with the operators. Operators would benefit in the usual way, enhanced data usage and higher ARPU’s.
• Jaiku’s S60 application uses bluetooth to sense how many other Jaiku users are in your vicinity (vicinity ~50 feet). In the future you will be able to see who the nearby users are and read their updates.
• Jaiku thinks of its client as a ‘more intelligent’ replacement for your phone’s address book. Whereas usually you get a list of names and numbers with maybe email and other static information, Jaiku allows you to see contacts (that don’t need to be on your phone contact list). The list shows you who’s available (busy, away) and what their status is (eating chicken salad).

(5 votes, average: 5.4 out of 7)

Filed under Location-Based Services Applications |