Bebo has launched Open Mobile, an initiative to help operators use the Bebo platform to create their own social networks. Bebo Open Mobile is intended for operators, handset manufacturers and software developers who want to create branded/tailored versions of the social network for their own use.
Partners can develop a Bebo mobile site with customised navigation, mobile advertising support and analytics. They can build apps and widgets to plug into the site.
From Bebo:
Sean Kane, global head of mobile for Bebo, said the move was a way to grow the reach of the social network. “The suite of tools is designed to move mobile communication and user relationships forward by delivering a simple and ubiquitous experience to users. A rapid and global shift towards mobile social networking consumption is in progress and Bebo is committed to leading the way.”
What we think?
Bebo’s on-line Open Media platform launched in 2007, and it claims to now reach 50m members. I can’t imagine the mobile version will attain the same figures, but it’s probably going to see a good amount of take-up, especially from those who were happy with the Open Media performance.
My question is this: is it a good idea to create even more social networking sites on the mobile web? The audience for MoSo’s is still relatively small compared to the on-line audience, and it’s hugely fragmented. The last thing we need is a huge influx of branded social networking sites that will dilute the audience even further.
