Google India has launched SMS channels service that enables users to create their own sms channel or simply receive sms updates from google groups/news and even blog feeds.
“Google SMS Channels is a free service that enables you to get premium content published by Google partners and websites with RSS/Atom support for free.
SMS Channels allows you to create your own channel(s) to publish content that other users can subscribe to.”
Google SMS Channels
Unlike smsgupshup (which, incidentally powers pluGGd.in’s feed-to-sms service), Google’s SMS channel is two-way and enables a discussion enabling subscribers to publish to the channel (an optional feature).
Why it feels half baked?
Because Zook is doing a far better job – they recently launched an alert service that enables one to track deals/movie updates (for instance, receive updates only for English movies playing at PVR @ Forum Mall, or track nokia deals in Bangalore etc..) and whole lot of other content like events, weather, traffic updates, cricket news/scores, etc.
Similarly, MyToday (sends 12 million SMS everyday) offers customized channels like astrology/cricket/news etc which are far richer in content and aren’t just reading feeds.
Having said that, Google’s SMS channel works great for publishers – they get a newer hook to keep users engaged, which none of the other services are offering.
The weird part about a generic service like this is that they may not get the community love (and very soon lose relevance).
Let’s look at it this way – Google’s SMS Channels will compete with Vakow, MyToday and SMSGupshup etc – all of these services have ‘initial mover advantage’ and serve specific intents, while Google’s SMS service looks more like a PoC.
I am not too sure whether Google’s SMS service will go beyond the geeky users/bloggers (and will ever reach mainstream).
Whats your take on Google’s SMS Channel service?
By the way, here goes pluGGd.in channel - subscribe to receive feed updates.
this is a totally half ass work from google. i bet its a 20% from an intern
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Vakow Seems to more impressive !
more impressive and knowledgable
I always wonder, how do they end up making money? 12 million sms per day would drain any start-up’s resources quite fast. I would appreciate if someone can shed light on this aspect.
Yeah.. I would like to know that too
even though getting sms credits for about 3-5 paisa with 50-60 paise per advertisements.. its hard to account for daily spendings!!! (no. of ads availabl to be served daily) someone let me knw hw this thing works..
They will be competing with Rajesh Jain’s My Today I guess. Any other prominent players?
@kamal,@poseidon : Both smsgupshup and mytoday insert text ads along with sms.
In general, the smses sent are of ~100-120 chars and the remaining are used for text ads.
The CPM rates are quite low, though.
-Ashish
12 million SMS
(assumption1) INR 0.05 per SMS
Total SMS Credit Cost ( per day) – INR 6 L per day
(assumption2) Ad cost per SMS ( 80 or 100 Char per SMS whatever) – INR 0.65
So no. of Ads to be served everyday to balance the amount spent on buying 12 million SMS credits : (6,00,000 / 0.65) -> A huge no.
Where do they get so many advertisers ! ( Correct me if assumptions are wrong or I have done anything stupid above
)
Few numbers:
SMS cost ~30-40 paise. CPM rate ~12-15 paise..
Per day loss : say, 15 paise per sms, say Rs. 2 mn
And that’s why the need for funding.
For now, I believe Netcore has enough cash (remember Rajesh’s early venture that was acquired for ~150mn $ (dont recall the exact number)..
Same applies to smsgupshup (they are rumored to have raised $10mn).
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This is an exciting space and it looks like these companies are only going to get bigger and better.
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may be there are enough advertisers out there. if they are at loss they will not still be here
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Aaj phir Nain mere barsenge,
Aaj phir Neend rooth jaayegi,
Aaj phir Dil tujhe pukaarega,
Aaj phir Aas Toot jaayegi
One f d Gud plan it s…
it is a better for you
i am also have a channel in it
by name ASHRAFI2
sasson ka chalna itefaq nahi hota,Dilo ko dilo par aitbar nahi hota lakh kosis kare hum tumhe bhoolane ki par dharkano ko rokna aasan nahi hota.
Good info, urges to try now with Google SMS. Thank you !
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its really good .it helps me a lot
I used to get free sms from google channels daily on two of my mobile numbers viz 9205176577 and 9018657755 but suddenly they got stopped on a single day.I got a message on both like “rchd max limit” and frm that day no smss at all.Plz help at fsbhat2009@yahoo.co.in
its really a nice google service to update with news
Ya !it lookin greatt,i used job alert ,& its providing matched jobs (real time) 2-3 daily
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Hi
assalamu alaikum