Skype's Billion-Dollar Idea? Ringtones
from the they'll-be-charging-to-use-smilies-next dept
All this talk about just exactly what eBay is going to do with Skype and how it's going to justify the billions they spent on it seem to be missing the latest paid Skype service that's sure to just rake in the cash: ringtones and wallpapers for your Skype client. Yes, seriously. Skype's hoping people will pay a buck for a sound or picture -- which is slightly odd, since users can already change sounds to another file on their computer and use their own buddy icons. It's obvious Skype sees the big sales of ringtones and wallpapers on mobile phones, and thinks they can get something similar going. But on a mobile phone, this type of content is as much about showing it off to other people as it is about personalization. It's doubtful people see Skype as similar outlet, but it's even more doubtful they'll spend money on these things when it would appear they can already be done for free. The real question though, is if this is just a poorly thought out plan, or something that smacks of Skype's desperation to generate some revenues.
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ringback tones
or how about setting a song that is played on your friends computer when you call them?
El Gordo
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I think the ringtones are a different paradigm.
That said, it still doesn't sound very exciting to me.
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Hmm...
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a buck?
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Skype
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