Pain-Point:
I really hate to transfer my media files (music, pictures, videos, docs) across multiple devices. What if I can access these files from any device even though they are stored on only one of the devices. E.g: I might have all my songs on my desktop and I would like to stream them and listen to them on my mobile especially when in proximity. I might want to see/stream and listen to songs from a friend's mobile or desktop.
Technology-Challenge:
You need to leverage any possible connection channels: Wifi, blue-tooth to build a connection. Some of you might argue that this is possible through ssh or scp. The common end-user cannot use them. So, this technology must be seamless and extremely easy to use. It must be something like ad-hoc network between various devices as they move. We could also use GPS for location.
Similar-products and Related Reading
1> Color: http://www.crunchbase.com/company/color-labs
This start-up does photo sharing based on proximity using GPS and bluetooth.
2> Yobongo: http://www.crunchbase.com/company/yobongo
They do proximity based chat-rooms
3> SubSonic: http://lifehacker.com/#!5505345/subsonic-streams-your-desktop-music-to-iphones-and-android
Streams music from desktops to iPhones and Androids.
4> Dropbox: http://www.crunchbase.com/company/dropbox
Simple file syncing across devices: something like rsync(linux) for end-users.
5> Bumpp: http://www.crunchbase.com/company/bump-technologies
Physically bump your phones to sync contacts, share music and pictures. Uses GPS, blue-tooth and accelerometers.
The 'big' idea is that if we can build a reliable and seamless technology, we can build a useful service around the technology. Some of the above ones are examples of the services that are already present. Even if a service is present, it is alright because very often they are not very easy to use and not seamless. E.g: I tried to use Subsonic for music streaming. It needs me to setup a desktop server like system to do it. The ubuntu tool they gave just does not work and most importantly, I want a seamless and simple to use system with no complex to-dos. Check dropbox for how simple it makes file syncing here: http://www.dropbox.com/
I really hate to transfer my media files (music, pictures, videos, docs) across multiple devices. What if I can access these files from any device even though they are stored on only one of the devices. E.g: I might have all my songs on my desktop and I would like to stream them and listen to them on my mobile especially when in proximity. I might want to see/stream and listen to songs from a friend's mobile or desktop.
Technology-Challenge:
You need to leverage any possible connection channels: Wifi, blue-tooth to build a connection. Some of you might argue that this is possible through ssh or scp. The common end-user cannot use them. So, this technology must be seamless and extremely easy to use. It must be something like ad-hoc network between various devices as they move. We could also use GPS for location.
Similar-products and Related Reading
1> Color: http://www.crunchbase.com/company/color-labs
This start-up does photo sharing based on proximity using GPS and bluetooth.
2> Yobongo: http://www.crunchbase.com/company/yobongo
They do proximity based chat-rooms
3> SubSonic: http://lifehacker.com/#!5505345/subsonic-streams-your-desktop-music-to-iphones-and-android
Streams music from desktops to iPhones and Androids.
4> Dropbox: http://www.crunchbase.com/company/dropbox
Simple file syncing across devices: something like rsync(linux) for end-users.
5> Bumpp: http://www.crunchbase.com/company/bump-technologies
Physically bump your phones to sync contacts, share music and pictures. Uses GPS, blue-tooth and accelerometers.
The 'big' idea is that if we can build a reliable and seamless technology, we can build a useful service around the technology. Some of the above ones are examples of the services that are already present. Even if a service is present, it is alright because very often they are not very easy to use and not seamless. E.g: I tried to use Subsonic for music streaming. It needs me to setup a desktop server like system to do it. The ubuntu tool they gave just does not work and most importantly, I want a seamless and simple to use system with no complex to-dos. Check dropbox for how simple it makes file syncing here: http://www.dropbox.com/
One more simple yet useful use-case: If you are in a public place like a concert and if you are logged into this app using ur facebook credentials, u can find your friends(or thier friends) in your vicinity. You can do it more reliably using adhoc mobile network along with GPS.
ReplyDelete