Comments on: Mercora Goes Mobile

By: chompi

chompi — Wed, 11 May 2005 21:49:43 +0000

Yes, I agree with Sampath. WiFi and WiMAX will enable this technology and the business model to survive. They just need to hang in there until WiFi is ubiquitous. Off course, one could argue that this could take years. Its a classic chicken-and-egg. I tend to beleive that killer apps like these will only help expedite the spread of WiFi. My 2 cents of suggestion to Sampath would be that they should really try to focus on selling to “communities” as a whole in addition to marketting to individuals. Apple did a great job of bringing out their Rendezvous technology with a similar touch. They were not obvious about it, but the natural progression (which we see now) is friends sharing music = aka = community radio stations. Besides, WiFi “is” a community technology – coffee shops, airports, neighborhoods, etc. Their model would greatly benefit from tapping this trend.

By: Michael Parekh

Michael Parekh — Wed, 11 May 2005 00:58:34 +0000

I believe Windows Mobile 5.0, announced today, may support EDGE, but am not sure.

Separately, check out PC MAG.com for a new Sony Vaio ultraportable review that is the first laptop to include EDGE radios from either Cingular or TMobile…works concurrently with Verizon’s EVDO PC card modems…pricing is high at almost $80/month.

By: The Mobile Music Blog

The Mobile Music Blog — Tue, 10 May 2005 20:09:49 +0000

Mercora Streaming Audio Goes Mobile

Om Malik reports that Mercora, which lets users play DJ and set up their own streaming channels, is now offering a mobile application that lets Windows Mobile users listen to channels on their devices. Services like Mercora illustrate the massive

By: Alex Rowland

Alex Rowland — Tue, 10 May 2005 20:07:21 +0000

This is a classic example of the problem with closed distribution networks. The carriers have an enormous incentive to keep their networks closed to protect high margins. Consumers have tremendous incentive to try to pry the network open to access compelling affordable services. This wouldn’t matter in 1990, but expanding consumer access to a large open data transport mechainsm (aka, the Internet) is a game changer.

Mercora may get booted from the carrier networks in the short term, but I would rather bet on their business model (long term) than the buisness model of the satellite radio providers. They’re rapidly gaining momentum and there will be a place for them in the future, but the fact remains, we are in the midst of a fundamental transition from dominant closed networks to dominant open networks. Satellite radio’s business model sits on the wrong side of that revolution.

By: Om Malik

Om Malik — Tue, 10 May 2005 14:44:36 +0000

I thought i wrote about this earlier. did i not? well time to write it – thanks for the reminder then

By: Permanent4

Permanent4 — Tue, 10 May 2005 14:40:42 +0000

Windows Mobile doesn’t support EDGE? That’s so lame.

By: Om Malik

Om Malik — Tue, 10 May 2005 14:00:06 +0000

Esme,

Good point, thought what I wonder how cities can really afford to build these networks when their civic infrastructure is crumbling. i don’t deny the role of broadband, and need for options. just wonder who cities prioritize?

By: Esme Vos

Esme Vos — Tue, 10 May 2005 12:10:56 +0000

Exactly why we need more competition in the wireless and wired broadband space. If cities set up their own networks and allow the Mercoras of the world to offer their services, everyone gets around the carriers.