Sorry about the slow rate of posting... but I've been busy with the rollout of the new voice conferencing platform... as well as some new features for the Talkr text-to-speech (TTS) service.
We're working on the MySpace-compatible version of the conferencing tool, and that should be out next week... that will be exciting. Basically, this is a download-free version of the live voice conferencing tool that will work on platforms that don't allow the applet tag... most notably MySpace but other platforms too.
In addition, we've got a long list of new features we're working on for the TTS service...
Some of these features are for distribution partners. In other words, making it easier for some of our new partners to distribute bloggers' podcasts to bigger audiences.
Other features will be for bloggers - helping them increase the quality of their podcasts.
Anyway, a lot to do and not enough time!
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
A Few Cool Applications for the Talkr Voice Widget
With this morning's launch, we intentionally avoided press coverage to have a chance to react to any issues that arose. Nevertheless, within the first hour after our limited beta opened, over 30 bloggers had signed up... THANKS!
And there has already been some great feedback... bloggers are very curious about this technology. Here are some ideas and clarifications that might benefit all:
1) OK... first, we should have mentioned more prominently that you might need to update your Java. We need JRE 1.5 or better. And, if you want to talk, rather than just listen, you need a microphone. We could have been more clear about both these things. I'm sure more of my slips will be called to my attention later...
2) And I should have really emphasized at the outset that this voice conferencing service will be free to the bloggers and free to their audiences... our goal is to make it audio-ad-supported! And revenue will be shared with the bloggers once it starts flowing. More on this below...
3) Bloggers can embed the new Talkr widget on their blogs and their audience members (with a simple click, no downloads of a client or anything) can join in a live, multiparty voice conference call.
The blogger can be in the voice conference leading the discussion, or simply leave it open for his/her audience to talk among themselves on the blog's topics, 24/7.
4) In addition, a group of blogs focused on a similar topic (say "liberal US politics" or "Web 2.0") can all embed the same widget which points to a single "shared" voice conference on that shared topic... all these blogs could point to a single voice chat, and each blog's audience can interact with the other blogs' audiences. This can "aggregate audience" across blogs willing to cooperate to build traffic.
5) These conference calls can also be password protected if a blogger want to limit access to "subscribers" or something... and the pasword can be changed regularly to enforce good behavior, for example.
6) We'll soon be releasing the tools that will allow a blogger to record their conference calls... for example, a blogger can record his/her chat featuring three "guest experts" discussing the state of Web 2.0 with a few audience members. Then the blogger can attach this mp3 to a podcast (an interactive, multiparty podcast, at that) on the topic.
---------------------------
So... we are giving bloggers an easy, free way to get into live conversations with their audience, as well as other bloggers interested in the same topic.
To what end? Hopefully... money...
As we said when announcing the Talkr acquisition, we plan on attracting audio ads to the traditional text-to-speech Talkr which is why we've eliminated the old subscription model for end users.
We'll also be trying to introduce audio ads to the live voice conferencing as well... for example, every audience member will soon hear a very short audio ad as they enter a voice conference. They currently hear a "Welcome to LiveOnTheNet" placeholder...
And we'll also be placing audio ads in the podcasts of the live chats as well...
When we get the revenue flowing, we'll be sharing that with the bloggers that create and drive the voice conference calls. There's a lot to be figured out there, but that's the kind of "high class problem" that the bloggers and we would like to have, I imagine.
And there has already been some great feedback... bloggers are very curious about this technology. Here are some ideas and clarifications that might benefit all:
1) OK... first, we should have mentioned more prominently that you might need to update your Java. We need JRE 1.5 or better. And, if you want to talk, rather than just listen, you need a microphone. We could have been more clear about both these things. I'm sure more of my slips will be called to my attention later...
2) And I should have really emphasized at the outset that this voice conferencing service will be free to the bloggers and free to their audiences... our goal is to make it audio-ad-supported! And revenue will be shared with the bloggers once it starts flowing. More on this below...
3) Bloggers can embed the new Talkr widget on their blogs and their audience members (with a simple click, no downloads of a client or anything) can join in a live, multiparty voice conference call.
The blogger can be in the voice conference leading the discussion, or simply leave it open for his/her audience to talk among themselves on the blog's topics, 24/7.
4) In addition, a group of blogs focused on a similar topic (say "liberal US politics" or "Web 2.0") can all embed the same widget which points to a single "shared" voice conference on that shared topic... all these blogs could point to a single voice chat, and each blog's audience can interact with the other blogs' audiences. This can "aggregate audience" across blogs willing to cooperate to build traffic.
5) These conference calls can also be password protected if a blogger want to limit access to "subscribers" or something... and the pasword can be changed regularly to enforce good behavior, for example.
6) We'll soon be releasing the tools that will allow a blogger to record their conference calls... for example, a blogger can record his/her chat featuring three "guest experts" discussing the state of Web 2.0 with a few audience members. Then the blogger can attach this mp3 to a podcast (an interactive, multiparty podcast, at that) on the topic.
---------------------------
So... we are giving bloggers an easy, free way to get into live conversations with their audience, as well as other bloggers interested in the same topic.
To what end? Hopefully... money...
As we said when announcing the Talkr acquisition, we plan on attracting audio ads to the traditional text-to-speech Talkr which is why we've eliminated the old subscription model for end users.
We'll also be trying to introduce audio ads to the live voice conferencing as well... for example, every audience member will soon hear a very short audio ad as they enter a voice conference. They currently hear a "Welcome to LiveOnTheNet" placeholder...
And we'll also be placing audio ads in the podcasts of the live chats as well...
When we get the revenue flowing, we'll be sharing that with the bloggers that create and drive the voice conference calls. There's a lot to be figured out there, but that's the kind of "high class problem" that the bloggers and we would like to have, I imagine.
Talkr’s Instant Voice Conferencing!
Free, flexible and absolutely no downloads!
This morning we released the beta version of our revolutionary Talkr instant voice conference widget.
This version targets bloggers primarily. Bloggers can post these voice widgets on their blogs and create free live chats on topics of interest to their audience.
We’re finalizing new functionality that lets Talkr instant voice conferencing be used on MySpace and other sites that don’t allow applets. Then, we’ll quickly release features that will appeal to other online communities.
Talkr voice conferencing breaks new ground in several ways:
* Its free! Talkr will be supported by advertisers and sponsors, and our partners can share in this revenue.
* Its easy and powerful! Talkr’s blog widget requires no download of any sort and lets users create, find and join free live VOIP conference calls.
We’re looking forward to – even counting on – your feedback, so please tell us what you like, don’t like, want to see, etc.
Check it out at new.talkr.com.
This morning we released the beta version of our revolutionary Talkr instant voice conference widget.
This version targets bloggers primarily. Bloggers can post these voice widgets on their blogs and create free live chats on topics of interest to their audience.
We’re finalizing new functionality that lets Talkr instant voice conferencing be used on MySpace and other sites that don’t allow applets. Then, we’ll quickly release features that will appeal to other online communities.
Talkr voice conferencing breaks new ground in several ways:
* Its free! Talkr will be supported by advertisers and sponsors, and our partners can share in this revenue.
* Its easy and powerful! Talkr’s blog widget requires no download of any sort and lets users create, find and join free live VOIP conference calls.
We’re looking forward to – even counting on – your feedback, so please tell us what you like, don’t like, want to see, etc.
Check it out at new.talkr.com.
Friday, March 23, 2007
We've acquired Talkr.com
This post is a little overdue, but I'll include it for completeness.
Back in February, LiveOnTheNet acquired Talkr.com a popular web site/service that provides text-to-speech (TTS) conversion to over 2,000 bloggers. Chris Brooks, the founder, is a wonderful and talented guy who is been great to work with.
Reason for acquisition? We were excited about the TTS service and great reputation that Talkr had built among the blogging community. Our background has been in streaming media and online consumer services... so we have a lot to learn about the blogosphere.
We've got an exciting new product about to rollout... the beta is strongly directed towards bloggers, so Chris has taught us many, many useful things. We'll be branding this new product Talkr as well, and hope there's not too much confusion about the traditional Talkr TTS services versus the new Talkr service which focuses on instant voice conferencing.
Back in February, LiveOnTheNet acquired Talkr.com a popular web site/service that provides text-to-speech (TTS) conversion to over 2,000 bloggers. Chris Brooks, the founder, is a wonderful and talented guy who is been great to work with.
Reason for acquisition? We were excited about the TTS service and great reputation that Talkr had built among the blogging community. Our background has been in streaming media and online consumer services... so we have a lot to learn about the blogosphere.
We've got an exciting new product about to rollout... the beta is strongly directed towards bloggers, so Chris has taught us many, many useful things. We'll be branding this new product Talkr as well, and hope there's not too much confusion about the traditional Talkr TTS services versus the new Talkr service which focuses on instant voice conferencing.
Inaugural Post !
Yippee! I'm a blogger. There goes the neighborhood (I hear you all mutter). Tex Woodruff, my old roommate and college buddy, claims he's still deaf in his left ear because I wouldn't shut up on long drives to Myrtle Beach... I'll try to be a little more judicious here.
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