Vodacom have launched Meep, a mobile instant messaging service similar to that of MXit. Meep also comes with a PC client, available for download on the Vodacom4me site, which will allow users to chat either from their mobile phone or PC.
The service is free for use until the end of January 2008, thereafter users will have to purchase “meepots“, the official currency for Meep users. This will enable them to continue using the service.
As I have said before, I am skeptical of new mobile IM applications entering the market. I don’t think that charging users for a service that is already available for free is the best strategy when entering the market. However, from the site, the application does look promising and appealing. It will be interesting to see how Meep fairs in 2008.
Tags: Mobile
Jeez, hello I’m-all-Flickr-oops-I-Meant-Web-2.0.
I agree with you – People aren’t going to be able to counter against Mxit. I wonder if these products were bought off the shelf, or if they are custom developed?
I’ll try it if its free but right now I really feel that mxit is the benchmark and they’ll have to offer a lot more for me to pay to use it.
@Uno I’m not sure about that, I will try find out for you.
@StevenMcD I think because MXit is first it has set the trend. I’m still waiting for something to break the mold though.
So they support my Nokia 6234 but not the N82? Ugh.
As you pointed out there are so many free mobile IM clients out there – it’s madness to charge for a product when you are not the dominant player in the market.
Here’s an idea… why not massively reduce the cost of sms and focus on your core business – much better way to compete with IM service providers (unless, as you say, Tyler, you’re going to break the mold).
It seems as though mobile applications are popping from every area of the net! I actually hope to see some smaller independent programmers launching unofficial applications as competition to all the big shots. Mobile application development is not the hardest form of development (I say this gently), so I’m sure there are lots of bedroom developers capable of putting something exciting together!
bleghhh, whatever Vodacom. Even if you’re the market dominator, there is no logic in charging for a service aimed at kids predominantly. If it’s the youth market you’re targeting, you should have a business model to back that up.
What’s the difference here Vodacom? charging for calls, sms’s, mms’s and now for Meepots? Hell, why don’t I just bank with you?
I really don’t know whether this is happening to me only. I have been trying for more than a week to download Meep for my PC (Vista). I have activated the service, but the server at impc.vodacom.co.za keeps taking too long to respond and it times out. Have you guys encounteredthe same problem? It is just like Vodacom “111″. It is supposed to make things easier for the customer,but it is unavailable more often than…
As for Meep on my mobile, it is another story. First my Motorola is not supported. Second, when I follow their instructions I get to a dead end…
Is this a beta version or a final release?
Yes, Chris, I believe that there are many smaller independent programmers that are working hard to not only launch competing products to the big shots’, but mostly are planning to break the mold (Tyler). We are one of them. We, at Mundial Communications, have recently launched on invitational beta a platform called Yambi.
Yambi promises to bring corporate messaging and collaboration services to your home or office. Unlike Microsoft, IBM, Cisco etc… solutions that require expensive servers and dedicated networks, Yambi server called (Zion.db) can operate in any Internet connection(slow or fast; dynamic or static). Yambi can host all Email accounts (POP,IMAP; private and corporate), Contacts, Instant Messaging, Texting, Calendar and Files in its secure database which can be accessible from anywhere, with any device.
Affordable and user-friendly Mobile Email (push-pull), secure, private and archived Instant Messaging (mobile, web, desktop), unlimited and global Texting (server hosted), remote and secure Local Files Access (desktop, web, mobile), Contacts management with Presence (server hosted), Desktop Social Networking, Voice over IP, are among many services that Mundial Communications is planning to offer.
Just, Imagine Microsoft Communications Server 2007, Microsoft Groove Server, Outlook, MSN Messenger or Skype, Mxit or Meep, simplified and integrated into one Application. Then, Imagine this integrated application available to anyone with a machine or device able to connect to the Internet.
With Yambi platform, all your contacts, email, instant messaging, texting messages and your local hosted files will always be available to you, no matter where you are in the world. Unlike many web alternative services, Yambi offers you an offline-online experience. It guarantees a total control over your data, freedom of hosting choice, privacy, security, total mobility. Most importantly, it saves Mobile users a lot of money. All communications (except voice at this stage), sent or received, are transmitted over IP, almost for free. The Mobile Carriers charge you only for the data sent and received, not for the individual messages or files shared.
Yambi platform is ideal for small businesses, schools, churches, communities and consumer worldwide.
Check screenshots at:http://www.mundialco.com/unifiedmessaging/2008/01/22/yambi-demo-screenshots/
see 9: I have tried downloading the pc client at home and at work and at all different times of the day, it has never yet connected. Is it even worth trying again or is meep just a load of problems that I can just as well do without?
Try the MTN noknok client instead, now open for vodacom/cellc users as well. http://www.noknok.co.za