abazab (I always wonder whether I should capitalize the first letter beginning a sentence when the company does not) has launched a “social networking” photo/video site “that lets users instantly share rich-media snippets of their lives as they happen, where they happen,” according to the company’s press release.
Apparently, abazab has a widget that, the company says, “allows anyone with a standard camera phone, PDA or computer to send video, photo and voice messages directly to any web page. Community sites gain a rich new way to further engage members with more personal forms of expression and communication.
“Regardless of location, users can now make spontaneous connections and more easily share rich-media content with their social networks, and get responses to postings more quickly.
“Any community site or personal web pages that can accept HTML snippets can use abazab.”
Marketing problem
I’m all for new applications for camera phones. But as a wireless data consultant whose business is helping companies develop these businesses, I always look at marketing.
If you browse to what should be the company’s main site — www.abazab.com — you get a brief sign-up form to request being part of the beta (see below).
There’s also a page to sign in if you’re accepted, a feedback form and “ricky’s blog” that doesn’t say much, including who ricky is.
Where’s the info.?
Fine, but what is abazab all about? Who runs it? What’s the philosophy? No clue from the abazab site.
If I want to sign up for the beta (assuming I haven’t read the release), I won’t learn much from the site.
All it says is, “hey what's up. abazab is something pretty sweet for your myspace, blog, etc. before i release it i need feedback from people who know what's up.
“i'm giving out accounts by invitation only. if you want one, answer the stuff below. i need different kinds of beta users so only some folks who sign up will get accounts at first.”
Huh?
Obtaining information from beta testers certainly makes sense. But it doesn't say anything about the app.
The company isn’t completely secret because it issued the press release yesterday. The release discusses a bit about the company (i.e., it’s backed by venture capitalists and private investors), so abazab wants to get the word out.
The end of the press release provides the clue for some details: For more company information, go to www.abazabinc.com. Aha!
A bit of information
abazabinc provides some information about the company’s management, but precious little about its application.
The site says, “abazab breaks down the barriers that hamper people from sharing their lives. Our breakthrough service enables users to post and view rich content anywhere they want at any time.
“It's simply revolutionary - see for yourself.”
Yeah, right
If you click to “see” what’s so revolutionary (and virtually nothing is), you get back to the www.abazab.com page that tells you nothing.
Perhaps abazab only wants beta testers who read the press release (although the press release isn’t posted on its two Web sites) or who find out through word of mouth or through the company’s executives.
But if abazab really wants people to sign up, it should do a better job of education in its Web site. The first step is simply to link from www.abazab.com to www.abazabinc.com so at least you know something about the management. (No "Ricky" there!)
Then, post the press release. It describes the basics of the application — enough for many people to decide whether to try to become beta testers.
Help the cat
The cat’s already somewhat out of the bag. At least remove the ball and chain from one of its paws by providing a bit more help to potential users.
I wish the company well.
Comments
Fox has infiltrated myspace, they are locking out communities like Buzznet.
MySpace (News Corp) has blocked Buzznet completely.
If you try to type in the URL buzznet.com it gets totally erased, which makes it impossible to tell folks about your new buzznet page, etc.
I have not heard of any other sites being banned.
Buzznet was one of the first sites to use flash to embed objects on profile pages, photos from buzznet, video, etc. However lately, its users and fans of bands who want to include photos from bands like Fall Out Boy (http://clandestine.buzznet.com), festivals like Coachella
(http://www.buzznet.com/buzzwords/bestofcoachella06/)
I'm curious what other sites have been blocked.
Posted by: Ariel | Friday, May 05, 2006 at 03:33 PM