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It's Vakow! for SMS Forwards

Techtree News Staff, Oct 11, 2007 1455 hrs IST

A novel idea, but one that enjoys the same kind of mass appeal as say a Big B or Bollywood or Cricket, argue Gupta and Upadhyay.

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Rahul Gupta and Amit Upadhyay, both alumni of IIT Mumbai, are excited about their two-year itch aka 'Vakow!', which is a community of people who love SMS forwards.

A novel idea, but one that enjoys the same kind of mass appeal as say a Big B or Bollywood or Cricket, argue Gupta and Upadhyay. The duo feel that while social networking Web sites are cool, a majority of Indians would rather send an SMS forward to stay in touch with friends.

And 'Vakow!' seems like the natural next step to SMS forwards -- a community to which most Indians would be able to relate.

On Vakow!, users can do a whole lot of things with SMS forwards -- be it building their own collection, rating other people's SMSes, tagging them, or forwarding them.

To kick-start the entire process, users need to post SMSes from their mobiles or using the Web interface. Cost isn't an issue because the non-premium number, i.e. +91 99015 54321 suits about every user's pocket. Once an SMS forward is up on the site, the community can rate it, tag it, and so on.

The process of rating allows the highest quality SMS forwards to rise up in the ladder, while tagging allows organizing SMSes into different categories.

Meanwhile, for those who want a sneak peek at the Web site, click on: http://www.vakow.com/.

USER COMMENTS

hello

by abhijeet, beed, on Mar 23, 2009 07:05 PM, Report abuse Reply

????????

by DHANA, salem, on Nov 22, 2008 01:55 PM, Report abuse Reply

hi!

by pappu, korba, on Jun 16, 2008 02:12 PM, Report abuse Reply

usgkvn

by rajvir, puna, on May 23, 2008 02:10 PM, Report abuse Reply

And soon they will derive their revenue out of advertising and the site will turn to a jumbled mess of adverts and flash. Also, why the heck should I pay for an sms when I can just post anything I want, of any length that I want, online for free??

by bawaji, bombay, on Oct 11, 2007 03:42 PM, Report abuse Reply

Hello bawaji, I can assure you that the site won't turn in to a 'jumbled mess of adverts and flash'. We'll have to generate revenues but that may or may not be due to advertising. Vakow! is a fun place for people who love SMS Forwards where they build their SMS collection and find new ones (as against a group SMSing service). And you can build your SMS collection by posting from your phone OR from the web (no need to pay anything at all) Do give it a shot and send your feedback at feedback@vakow.com. cheers

by rg, Vakow!, Mumbai, on Oct 11, 2007 04:31 PM, Report abuse

true they will derive revenue from advertising, just like any other free site you visit. I would love to see you rant at the NY Times when their flash ad plays. Bawaji just crawl back into your cave where there are still paid services which aren't ad supported. No wonder India doesn't have many entreprenuers, peopel like you are available a dime-a-dozen to kill someones idea.

by Boy, Bombay, on Oct 11, 2007 04:59 PM, Report abuse

Jai ho Bawaji!!! Jai ho!!! Bade doordarshi Ho!!!

by Another Boy, bambai, on Oct 11, 2007 05:10 PM, Report abuse

Also, another company called Webaroo is also doing something similar with SMS gupshup.

by bawaji, bombay, on Oct 11, 2007 03:45 PM, Report abuse Reply