Ted, Alec and others are analyzing JaJah, and in turn the other "minute stealer" and data services enablers.
I think this is all good, as the civil discussion about a new technology is certainly always warranted, and sorely needed.
What everyone seems to have missed is that JaJah and Plaxo share a common backer, in Sequoia Capital. As I have always learned in business, especially in Silicon Valley, it's important to follow three key company components:
1. The VC's
2. The Board Members of the Companies
3. The Advisory Board Members
My suspicion for the past few weeks about JaJah is that Sequoia Capital sees a way to ignite a Plaxo mobile offering via another enabling technology in JaJah. I mean, you didn't expect Plaxo to link up first with RebTel now do you given where the mone comes from?
This point though goes to a deeper issue. That of their being too many similar, and too many tertiary companies in the communications sector right now for them all to make it. Too many are doing the same thing, or having pieces that create overlapping perceptions, and which cause more Me Too, Me Also impressions and not a Me Different value proposition.
The time for Roll Up Plays in VoIP and IP communications is nearing. That's where money gets made and companies earn their stripes. Yahoo is one of those companies that understands the approach. Sr. VP Brad Garlinghouse was at CMGI (a dot.com VC) that was practicing a similar approach, but too early in the game. My instincts tell me that either for offensive or defensive reasons some of these early stage companies may get grabbed up by the larger players, or by some new funds coming on stream.
That means some people will move on, some companies will evaporate, but VoIP 2.0 will really come to fruition.
JaJah has some stiff competition from the likes of Switch-Mobile's Globe Dialer and Mino Wireless. Globe Dialer is really unique in that it is NOT a call back service - but a Java application that is downloaded directly onto the phone - and allows for VoIP calls. www.globedialer.com
Posted by: mobile guy | October 05, 2006 at 10:01 AM
...a way to ignite a Plaxo mobile offering ...
Do you have something in mind in this regard? Just wondering what the offering could be. Jajah will have soon a J2ME client for calling; - what is the Plaxo angle? Could be contacts sync support .. but if so this is not ground breaking stuff.. Other ideas?
Posted by: 3Mike | October 01, 2006 at 09:23 PM