Mobile technology and content provider Didmo is branching out from its traditional focus, mobile games and advertising, to launch Magmito, a user-generated mobile content service enabling consumers and enterprises to publish and share their life’s events on mobile devices. The free service lets users form invitations, albums or events on their PC by selecting a template, customizing it with information and photos and sending it to as many mobile devices as they like.
The Evite-like service uses an SMS link to open up a page, optimized for mobile, around a service or special event. Didmo CEO Roberto Chaves said it could be used for everything from newlyweds sharing their wedding photos to industry professionals planning a meeting to adverting companies and retailers promoting an event. The service can be divided by up to four pages. For a party invite, for example, the first page would be general information, the second for Google maps and directions, the third dedicated to the itinerary and the fourth for a related questionnaire. The resulting app is then sent to either an entire phone book or individual contacts as an SMS. Clicking on the SMS launches a custom downloadable app on Java ME and iPhones or a WAP site on other smartphones’ mobile browsers.
Consumers can also choose whether or not they want ads in their creation. The number of ads dictates the cost of SMS delivery. Didmo plans to make it money from SMS charges and advertising, as well as white labeling its service to large corporations who want to use it as a tool to create branded newsletters, sales training or solicit feedback on the mobile handset.
“It’s important to create a tool to allow these web developers the opportunity to make money,” said Ted Ianuzzi said. “We don’t charge anything to give them the tool; we just ask they do the delivery through us.”
Swedish-based Green Wines and Spirits is the first customer Didmo has announced. The company will promote its Pure Green Vodka brand to potential distributors through a Drink Book mobile app created using Magmito. The app includes product information and recipes that can be downloaded and viewed on any mobile phone.
