where did all the "mobile"/video ipod talk go.

[Biggy]

anyone?

bueller?

remember when everyone was rushing to get out ipod sites saying how it was going to revolutionize everything, anyone making $$ from it, or was it all hype?

and also mobile in the US... i've been approached by a lot of mobile guys over time. i always ask them the million dollar question: "how much money am I going to make." the answers I get back are astonishing. they all want to pitch and sign over rights to content, but no one wants to pay!

[pam]

I kept asking for proof it would be so "huge" in the USA and everyone swore it would take off like no one would believe. I recently asked if all those sales ever materialized and I'm told outside the USA it's huge but here, feh.

One particular person keeps spamming boards and claiming the mobile industry is huge, yet I don't see anyone claiming to make any serious money.

I put up a "regular" pod site and one niche pod site, and neither does much and I'd sell them in a heartbeat.

[helix]

Yes it was hyped pretty hard. I've read somewhere that the reason it is so huge in Europe is because they have the ability to pay for mobile purchases thru their service provider, something that cannot be done here...I think thats the reason, not 100% on that.

Pam, can you post a link to one of your pod sites? Just curious to see if there is any diff to a conventional site.

[Hammer]

Actually it is doing quite well for those that understand that people aren't really going to pay to look at hardcore porn on cell phones. What they will pay for is non nude and softcore Maxim style photos and by using SMS billing instead of credit cards, it's a simple matter of inputing a phone number, selecting your carrier and clicking on the 'send' button.

I am currently in the process of developing my newest site MobileSitePros.com and have done extensive research. The huge advantage is that since these sites push non-nude content to the cell phones, they can be promoted in mainstream places like magazines, radio and television and although SMS is far behind Europe here in the states, the majority of signups are coming from the U.S. and Canada.

There's a big difference between trying to look at hardcore porn on your cell in a public place and just killing a little time and looking at some babes in bathing suits and lingerie. Think about how popular Maxim, the Swimwear issue of Sports Illustrated and the Victoria's Secret catalog are and you'll realize that there are millions of men out there that prefer softcore to porn. Plus they don't have to worry about their wife seeing their credit card statement at the end of the month and what does a charge of $9.99 mean on a cell phone bill that is already over $100 a month anyway?

Here's an example of the sites we're doing. http://www.babes2mobile.com/

$9.99 a month for a photo a day. In addition, the second page has an upsell to a $5.99 a week text messaging cyber dating service. The client that owns the site makes 45% and the rebills are amazing. How many people will even notice a $10 additional charge on their cell bill?

[gonzo]

Hammer is right.

The hype generated by guys like "OhMobile" [where are they now?] telling these girls they would make tons of cash by signing up with them exclusivly is what led to the crazy spin.

Carly I know you were signed up with them. Are you making mad cash?

There is money in mobile - and there are several people that have been doing very well with it over the past couple of years.

Those that recognize that its unique delivery mechanism are those will continue to cash in.

[Biggy]

Actually it is doing quite well for those that understand that people aren't really going to pay to look at hardcore porn on cell phones. What they will pay for is non nude and softcore Maxim style photos and by using SMS billing instead of credit cards, it's a simple matter of inputing a phone number, selecting your carrier and clicking on the 'send' button.

I am currently in the process of developing my newest site MobileSitePros.com and have done extensive research. The huge advantage is that since these sites push non-nude content to the cell phones, they can be promoted in mainstream places like magazines, radio and television and although SMS is far behind Europe here in the states, the majority of signups are coming from the U.S. and Canada.

There's a big difference between trying to look at hardcore porn on your cell in a public place and just killing a little time and looking at some babes in bathing suits and lingerie. Think about how popular Maxim, the Swimwear issue of Sports Illustrated and the Victoria's Secret catalog are and you'll realize that there are millions of men out there that prefer softcore to porn. Plus they don't have to worry about their wife seeing their credit card statement at the end of the month and what does a charge of $9.99 mean on a cell phone bill that is already over $100 a month anyway?

Here's an example of the sites we're doing. http://www.babes2mobile.com/

$9.99 a month for a photo a day. In addition, the second page has an upsell to a $5.99 a week text messaging cyber dating service. The client that owns the site makes 45% and the rebills are amazing. How many people will even notice a $10 additional charge on their cell bill?

I agree with you somewhat, that softore will go farther because it will be less regulated by the providers (I believe many of the US providers have already struck down adult-related offerings). However, anything adult related on a cell phone is novelty. People lose cite that guys buy porn (even NN, which btw has been dropping the last few years) to masturbate. It's pretty hard to masturbate on a 2 inch screen via a cell phone, and its something you want to do in private. While yes there will be a market, I don't think it will be significant (just my opinion). Until the technology of the cell phone rapidly advances to include bigger screens where people don't mind carrying them around, I just don't see it going anywhere. I'm a pretty young guy, my friends look at porn, and they all have new cellphones, many of them are cell phone freaks (always getting the new one, etc). They download mp3 ringtones for their ringers, but I don't know one person who has ever bought anything adult-related or even been interested in it on a cell phone.

On the flip side, I think mainstream will make out like madmen with news, sports clips, movies, etc - stuff people have no problem watching in public when they are bored or things with a non-sexual entertainment value for that matter.

[helix]

Good stuff, thanks :)

[EmporerEJ]

Well, I invested early in some key domain names.
I haven't really gotten 'round to it, yet.

I see it as primarily an advertising vehicle for us right now.
pocketadult.com
POCKETADULT.NET
POCKETADULT.ORG
pocketpcx.com

and a few others......

I'm certainly interested in hearing from anyone with ideas.