Will Fontip, a new Israeli startup do to SMS the same thing Incredimail did to email?

The application is offering the users the ability to send messages with a large variety of fonts. Instead of just text, messages can actually look like this:

The product was launched only two weeks ago on Cellcom, Israel’s largest mobile operator, by Logia, the company that outsources Cellcom’s content services. The promotion hasn’t started yet, and it looks like it’s taking off virally.

The service is growing rapidly, and the numbers are doubling every week. It wouldn’t be a risky bet to say that in the future, the simple SMS will get nice new package.

k.

Although 2006 was a great year for all of those who are making money from the mobile industry, the 3GSM 2007 was a disappointment for those who were looking for something new.

There were no real news in the exhibition; The same booths as last year were situated at the same locations and presented the same products. To quote the Beatles: “Nothing to write home about”.

But this was only my initial reaction. Coming to think about it, 2007 will be the first year in which the manufactures will not be pushing the operators to adopt new technologies which will, again, bring them no revenues, only a lot of expenses. With no new expenses on technologies that won’t bring new revenues, operators can focus on old technologies and make sure they’ll make money out of them.

Mobile Internet, Mobile Instant Messaging, Mobile Mail and Mobile Music – All seem like yesterday’s news but 2007 will be the year in which the users start actually using them.

If I should put my 2 nickels on this year’s success, they would include:

Mobile Instant Messaging based on Microsoft Messenger, ICQ & AIM – on JAVA client as well as on WAP browser,
Mobile Music dual download – Mobile & PC service,
and Mail – on mobile & PC.

And in the corner, waiting for the right opportunity, the Wimax. Not yet a mature technology, but with the potential of becoming the operator’s killing blow. Although Wimax is alredy here, it will take 3 to 5 years for it to mature. Until then, mobile operators are still on the right side of the track.

The winner takes it all.

k.

OK. I got it. I installed it. And again: It’s a great technology, but the user experience still isn’t good enough.

Again, let’s start with the good thing: The streaming is even better than it was. The video looks good. Even more than that. It’s a very good streaming. But that’s it.

The interface – nothing had been changed. The electronic program guide on my cable TV is still much better.

And the content: Nothing special at all. Really nothing to see – but I am still waiting. As for the bottom line – Joost would compete Microsoft media center with a free of cost per software model. I’m not sure that it’s really a tool for someone that would like to grab some moments of joy during a hard day’s work. For that use – YouTube is still better.

k.