It’s been called ‘like Twitter but better’, was picked as the top 5 hottest applications of 2007, and is taking the Internet by storm!
Kevin Rose, of TechTV fame, is trying to change the tech landscape once more. His previous success of social news site Digg has arguably overtaken Slashdot as THE tech news hub on the net. Now, he is now going head to head with the bigger boys of social networking, taking on the likes of Facebook, MySpace, and Friendster with his new creation - Pownce.
What is Pownce?
“Pownce is a way to send stuff to your friends. What kind of stuff? You can send just about anything: music, photos, messages, links, events, and more. You can do it all on the web site, or install a lightweight desktop software that lets you get out of the browser” - via Pownce website
After messing around quite a bit on Pownce, I’ll say that it lies somewhere in between Facebook and Twitter. The interface is gorgeous, and it works as advertised.
It does everything you’d expect a social network to do, send messages, hook up with friends etc. My favourite feature? File sharing! Pownce allows file transfers of up to 10MB with the free account (You can upgrade to 100MB for a small fee). Aside from that, If you’ve ever wondered you can make the most out of Pownce, you can check out DoshDosh’s excellent post on this.
Will Pownce be a success?
In my opinion, Pownce will either make or break based on 2 factors:
- The quality of user generated applications. Without an open API (Something they are working on now), the functionality of Pownce is sorely compromised. (Case in point: What is Facebook without user-created Facebook apps?).
- A clear breakaway in functionality to move it from it’s current “me-too” product offerings to it’s very own social networking niche.
The second point would arguably be the hardest but most important to accomplish. Breaking away does not necessarily involve extra functionality. Tumblr and Twitter managed to make it big because they had less features, giving the world pure simplicity instead of a complex product.
Get a FREE Pownce Invite
A Pownce closed beta invite is one of the hottest properties on the net these days. If you happen to be looking for one, it’s your lucky day!
This week I’m giving away 5 invites to Pownce as part of a blog contest!
The contest entry rules are simple:
#1 Drop me a comment in this post telling me what you think about Social Networks like Friendster, Myspace or Pownce - I’d love to hear your thoughts!
#2 Then - Join my community by doing ONE (or more) of the below:
- Subscribe to my RSS feed or email newsletter
- Join my MyBlogLog reader community
- Add me to your StumbleUpon friends list
- Link back to this post on your own blog
Winners are picked randomly, and will be notified both by email and announced on next week. (Make sure you use a valid email address in your comments). Please limit yourself to one entry. Good luck!
Bonus tip: Post to Pownce and Twitter at the same time!
[tags]pownce, social networking, facebook, twitter [/tags]
August 17th, 2007 at 12:58 am
Wow 4 requirements for your contest. Think I will wait until they open their doors. As for social networks I think it depends on who you want to network with. I like to chat with other bloggers so I hang out at MyBlogLog the most.
From Admin: You only need to do ONE of the 4… pick one :)
August 17th, 2007 at 2:32 am
“Pownce is a way to send stuff to your friends. What kind of stuff? You can send just about anything: music, photos, messages, links, events, and more.”
I thought I was able of doing that through emails? I don’t think this will beat Facebook or MySpace.
August 17th, 2007 at 6:31 am
I
N
TERESTING ARTICLE! But I am also not sure that it’ll be a winner!
August 17th, 2007 at 8:01 am
@Beach Bum - You only need to do ONE of the 4… pick one :)
@Yasser - Correct. Same thing I thought - except the file sharing is easier here. Also there are some ‘Twitter- like’ what am I doing now functions, which you don’t really want to port over to email.
@Alva - me neither - but it’s Kevin Rose… you never know what might happen
August 17th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
the only thing missing in this compared to twitter is sending updates via text messages (sms). other features are nicely done.
August 17th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
I already have a Pownce account; either I’m still waiting for my Joost invite, or my mail filters ate it (those spams sent out in the year 2038 really muck up my bulk mail; I hope I didn’t accidentally delete the invite while looking for another mail in bulk). Thanks
August 18th, 2007 at 11:44 am
Hi Shreela - I’ve already sent the Joost invite - check again :)
August 18th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
James
Many thanks for visiting my site and leaving a link for my visitors to get free pownce invites. Thats the power of blogging.
I have learnt a few things about pownce from your posting.
August 20th, 2007 at 12:08 am
I want a Pownce account. I think the team is good enough to overtake facebook. Can I have an invite please?
August 20th, 2007 at 5:54 am
Nice site/blog. Do you have any invites left? Thanks.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:54 am
Thanks, I got the Joost, thanks! I still haven’t figured out what to do with Pownce, since most of my online friends don’t mess with social sites. Maybe I’ll learn from you if you do an article on it again 8^)
August 21st, 2007 at 10:19 pm
hi there, although I not really understand how it work, but I would like to receive an invitation :D Thanks!! I do subscribed to your RSS too.
August 21st, 2007 at 10:27 pm
I’ve join your MyBlogLog Community.
I’ve add you as a friend in Stumble Upon
I’ve subscribed to your feed.
I want my Pownce NOW :P
August 29th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
i would like to be invited about Pownce
lakarsmen@hotmail.com
thanks and talk anytime you like
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Need invite. Thanks!
September 10th, 2007 at 9:36 pm
I really want to get into pownce hope i get an invite.
trevorkatilius@yahoo.com
September 15th, 2007 at 6:22 am
Would like a Pownce invite as well
invite@repentance.nl
September 15th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
May i get one?
September 24th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Anyone have a pownce invitation they’d be willing to send my way? :)
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:54 am
need one pownce invite advance thank you
January 28th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
I like your newsletter and read it all the time, thanks for the great job. There is always something interesting there, I appreciate your efforts. All the best to everyone.