SMSGupShup opens up..launches developer platform [SMS based widgets]
When it comes to the Indian mobile space, smsgupshup rules. Yes, it is not Twitter. Not even any other social networking site such as Facebook or Orkut.
With over 20 million subscribers to the platform, Beerud Seth, CEO of Webaroo definitely has something to smile about. And here we have a scoop about what he has been up to lately.
Smsgupshup is about to announce an API platform to crowdsource mobile applications from the developer community across the world. Now we believe that this is quite a big step, in order to close-in on Twitter, if not anyone else (both in terms of product development and monetizability too).
GupShup API enables developers to build SMS-based widgets and services. Using GupShup API, developers can build a variety of widgets and services that advertise their GupShup group messages on their website or blog, and post messages to their group through their favorite website.
How neatly does Webaroo deliver the platform to the developers is another question which probably only time would answer. A few sample applications TictacToe and Cricket Exchange they created seemed pretty interesting, in a sort of “iPhone Applications” kind of way. Except that these apps are quite inevitably going to be limited to simplest of UI’s or none at all.
The move seems quite bold for an Indian set-up, particularly pointing towards an imminent change in selling behavior of products from the country. We see it as a welcome change for an Indian produce, while the global giant Twitter still figures out it’s monetization strategy.
Earlier, SMSGupshup raised $11mn from Helion and CRV and very recently, the parent company, Webaroo morphed itself into SMSGupshup (i.e. killed the other products like sitedownloader etc).
What’s your opinion on SMSGupshup’s platform play? Will it fly?
Recommended Read: Twitter’s ‘Terrific’ Traffic Growth in India – Follows Hockey Stick Curve
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Related posts:
- SMSGupshup Formally Launches its App Store, AppShup
- Exclusive: SMSgupshup users can send picture messages…and 1:1 SMSes too
- Rediff opens up the Developer Platform: Better Late than Never
- Webaroo’s SMSGupshup – sneek peek into their new offerings (free sms/group sms from their website)
- TringMe goes for the kill – Opens Platform APIs as well as Source Code
SMSGupshup has always been leading in terms of technology to enable an ecosystem around the idea. They have the right person to think about the next steps in terms of technology in the form of their CEO and have been making some cool moves in the marketing / monetizing area lately (tieup with FB, Rakhi Sawant etc).
I hope the dev community does manage to create some good serious (non game, non entertainment) applications – that will be a proof of the power of the system.
I also think that many of the traditional VAS players are typical “baniya” outfits who dont understand much of the technology at all and those who do, usually dont have the authority to implement them. SMSgupshup is uniquely positioned in that aspect and shoudl be very well set to decimate some of the existing VAS players.
Hey pratyush.. seems you are on payroll of Gupshup …,
he he … calling anything these guys have done as ‘technology’ is similar to calling your p#$s a waterfall…
@Prashant1 – To clarify – I WAS on the payroll of SMSGupshup. I was involved in a lot of things you see there today.
I am not sure what your definition of technology is. If its search and other pathbreaking stuff – then so be it. But I consider a wheel a technological marvel. You sound pretty much like Steve Ballmer who pooh poohed FB saying theres nothing “technologically” great about it. My answer is, try getting 20M users and then talk. Mental m@sturbation doesnt produce kids you know.
The Myth of 20 million users. Ha ha ha …
BTW what was that percentage of ‘active’ gupshup users? 0.0000001% isn’t it? … how come we never hear exactly how many gupshup users are actualy active vs the bloated registration numbers.
Of course it’s probably easy enough to fool millions of people once but all together different to get them to use your service regularly …
About technology .. (today I am mood for toilet humour ..:-))
so .. ‘Sulabh Sauchalaya’ (aka public toilets) in India have more than 20 million ‘active users’ Is must be a great piece of technology according to you, right pratyush ?
brother, even twitter has bloated numbers. I read somewhere that less than 60% of twitter users ever return to twitter…besides, ‘activity’ is directly proportional to bloated numbers. Isn’t it?
I would think the active users would be in the range of 50-60%. In any case why should they tell you – does Twitter ever tell you the number of “active” users? You kinda answered yourself when you said “using service regularly”. I think a lot of them do. Again – there is no reason why they should let you know.
Sulabh souchalaya example – Very good one – Head bowed in respect. However thats comparing apples and oranges (btw if I manage to start a revolution like Sulabh – I would be mighty happy). Its a service vs technology (apples oranges apples oranges – not a mixed fruit jam).
@Prashant #1 the world must appreciate your metaphorical capabilities…”WATERFALL” …lolz.
Hmm .. well too little too late ..
I wish they would have allowed developers create multiple clients loong time back like twitter did..
It helps promotion you know ..
but when you have some stupid investors focussed on monetization where business is in creating value, well this is what you get .. @gupshup, keep hoping that facebook aquires you.
But I guess you may have missed the bus since they already picked up friendfeed.
I am very eager to see blood on the wall this year with lot of these mindless investments by Indian VCs
Hmm Intresting move indeed. API for a service like this was much needed step . I am sure a lot of guys will folk to them . specially for the small time developers / company who don’t have resource for managing Operator relationship .
a little funny incident: Ad banner next to this post is of mVaayoo which offer same set of services . Irony
for the record Prashat #1 on this thread is not same as Prashant#2 and Prashant#3
Cool two prashants with exactly the opposite views. You both look like good marriage material, eh?
Guys …Can’t we have a meaningful discussion . IMHO these comments are uncalled for.
Don’t worry i will acquire gupshup. But i have no money right now, i will buy it from my next month’s salary
R u sure google ain’t firing you next month? [:D]
@prashant & @pratyush as per last reading, Twitter had about a million or so indian users. gupshup rate 20 times above twitter in india…let the numbers speak.
@Pratyush : to support your logic I would say its Not even apple to orange comparison . Sulabh is a place where you are “forced” to go . not true for ANY tech service I know they don’t force you its user opt in .
What i find weird is that noone asked about the relevant points like TOS,rev share , billing cycle , will there be an approval policy involved etc etc and we are indulging in a pointless mud slinging .
Marvin
You know i can get anyone fired from his/her company in one working day.
Be it Obama’s office staff or FBI.
Which company do you work for ?
PS: Read Google T&C, They can’t fire me.
I work for Pluggd.in, Sir.
Dude
Please do not spam. I will have to block your IP (I do know who you are)
Very interesting! Atleast somebody is taking risks..very few Indian cos. have made a mark when it comes to API stories..lets hope smsgupshup cracks the problem
Apparently there is no “approval-policy” kind of system as it is for Apple… I guess, rev-sharing method would be a great model to work on for Webaroo… Let’s hear from them.
Revenue
Nanga naheyega kya aur nichodega kya
Good to see such animated gupshup around GupShup.
Disclaimer: I’m a GupShup product manager.
A few comments on the points raised:
1. Rev Share: We believe that developers would be able to use a platform like this to their own advantage to create the VAS / GupShup mashup of their choice. And we have made it an open platform like the Android platform – so that it is easier and less cumbersome for interested developers. And, we will do a rev share with developers, and also help them market their apps on the GupShup platform.
2. Active users – I can tell you, but I’d have to kill you.
Our active user ratios are like other social media companies.
@Sanjoy: Thanks for the positive comments. Hope you will also end up creating some apps, and evangelizing the GupShup platform.
@Prashant: We are quite hopeful that this will turn out to be really valuable for developers, and hence will pan out well. We think that we are not too late. But I guess only time will tell.
@Pratyush: Howdy, old friend. Thanks for the plug.
I think this is truly powerful. Anyone can now build SMS apps, and if it clicks voila. Will try it out.
@Tathagata: Any insights into the numbers regarding rev sharing?
@Anup: Good to hear from you, we hope to see an app built by you on the GupShup platform, and real soon.
The rev share (and we will put this information up on our website too), will be a 50:50 share between the developer and GupShup, net of actual messaging costs.
If you have more detailed questions, feel free to email me at:
tathagata [at] webaroo [dot] com
Guys,
Not am expert on the whole mobile scene – BUT, while its all good talking about 50/50 revenue split, where is the revenue coming from? Advertising? In that case I won’t hold me breath for any (pleasant) surprises.
Don’t operators hold VAS cos to ransom because they take care of the billing and thats one link in the chain which no one has been able to crack?
Hey PP
~Pranav