Sprint has, alas, ended its camera phone weblog, “Photobility.” I helped to develop it and was one of the two main writers for the weblog that was, surprisingly, very “nondenominational” when it came to the type of articles allowed. Indeed, Photobility published a wide range of articles regardless of the type of phone or system on which they were used.
Very, very few articles discussed Sprint’s camera phone products and services. Indeed, I thought there could have been more such articles! But the Sprint executives who conceived the weblog wanted it to be as unbiased as possible — an information resource, not a blatant marketing vehicle. It was a rather “brave” — and commendable — vision.
Articles included such topics as privacy and security (including the negative aspects of camera phones), tips and recommendations for how to take better photos and videos, different types of photo/video sharing sites, ways to transfer photos, camera phone art exhibitions and photographers, the latest developments in imaging technology in the United States and around the world and many trends.
Content not an issue
Since I was part of the weblog team (hired as an independent wireless data consultant), I can’t/shouldn’t discuss why Photobility met its demise. The previous Sprint executives spent a lot of time and effort trying to push through a camera phone weblog that was, well, a fairly leading-edge product for conservative cellular operators.
I can say, though, that the quality and type of articles weren’t an issue. The Powers That Be, as far as I know, liked the content. I’m certainly biased, but I liked the articles, too, and I usually tried to write why they were important to the weblog audience.
Dead but not completely buried
Although Photobility is dead, a Sprint forum, “BuzzAboutWireless,” is going to include all of the weblog’s articles in the near future (see below).
Would any company like me to help them create/write a camera phone weblog? Give me a shout!
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