בישראל עובדים כמה אלפי אנשים ביותר ממאה חברות בתחום הסלולר (מלבד המפעילות). במדור חדש נכיר את החברות והאנשים העובדים בהן. חברות ואנשים שרוצים להשתתף במדור, מוזמנים לפנות אלי.
נפתח עם רן אסף, שמנהל מניו יורק את דידיום, חברת סטארט-אפ בתחום המוסיקה, שמחברת בין המחשב הנייד לבין המכשיר הסלולרי. (מסיבות טכניות: הראיון בעברית-אנגלית)
שם: Ran Assaf
גיל: 36
תפקיד: CEO
מספר שנים בתפקיד: 4
We develop and market a new type of cross-carrier mobile music service that allows people to access their home computer’s music library from their phone in just two clicks, and using the same sleek mobile application, bid for and buy over 1.5 million MP3 songs. Didiom is not tied to a specific wireless network/operator or handset. We are completely independent.
- מה הם המוצרים העיקריים של החברה?
Placeshifting Platform
Unlike sideloading, the process of moving music files from a computer to a mobile device, mobile music placeshifting occurs by enabling audio files stored on a personal computer to be wirelessly streamed to a mobile device. The music plays back on the mobile device but is not stored locally. Didiom’s placeshifting platform consists of three basic modules: a desktop application that runs on the end user’s computer, a handset application that runs on the end user’s mobile device, and a streaming server that manages communications. Didiom’s desktop application scans the PC for audio files and playlists in the most popular formats, and maintains an encrypted channel between the PC and the phone.
Bidding-based Mobile MP3 Store (Name your own price)
In addition to streaming music from computers to phones over wireless networks, the all-in-one Didiom application features new ways to interact with music. With over 1.5 million DRM-free tracks under management, we allow users to shop for music whenever they want, directly from their phone. Users can download music to their mobile, PC or both. There are never any membership or service fees. Users only pay for the music they download through Didiom’s secure, credit card service. By implementing an adaptive bargaining technology, we also allow users to name their own price for MP3 songs. Moreover, our integrated music-sharing tool enables users to share previews with friends, both mobile-to-mobile and via e-mail.
Content Management
We have signed license deals with 15 digital music providers worldwide and continue to expand our catalogue. The following music partners have made their music libraries available on Didiom: CD Baby (US), the world’s largest online retailer of independent music, Naxos (US), the world's leading producer of classical music, Saavn (India/US), the world’s largest digital distributor of South Asian content, Phonofile (Norway), Bonzai Music (Belgium), eClassical (Sweden), Xpressbeats (UK), Reggae Country (Canada), Soul Seduction (Austria), Resonant Vibes (US), MisRolas (US/Mexico), EmuBands (Scotland), Armenian Music Center (Armenia), EPM (Netherlands), and Quarterlife Records (US).
איך הוקמה והחברה ומתי, כמה עובדים יש בה?
I started the company in the summer of 2005 after finishing my graduate studies in entrepreneurship in Boston. Our small team is based in New York – in the heart of the media world. Among our board members are Bob Jamieson, the former CEO of BMG North America, and Oren Most, the former CEO of Gilat and former deputy CEO and co-founder of Cellcom.
מהו המודל העסקי של החברה?
Throughout the beta period, we offer over 1.5 million MP3 songs and share revenues with our music partners. We are implementing a cash bonus program to reward prepaid users who have purchased MP3 songs. The cash bonus program pays up to 35% towards more music downloads. Most songs are between $0.89 (single download) and $1.39 (dual download). Most albums are between $9.99 (single download) and $12.99 (dual download). We will offer subscription-based, premium services later this year.
איפה תהיה החברה בעוד שלוש שנים מהיום?
Hopefully, with enough resources to develop groundbreaking applications and change the way people interact with digital media.
מה הם לדעתך המגמות החשובות שייעצבו את עולם הסלולר בשנים הקרובות?
Rollable displays, wireless charging, 3D visualizations of mobile content, image comparison technologies
באיזה מכשיר סלולרי אתה משתמש?
HTC Touch Pro
באיזה אפליקציות ושירותים סלולרים אתה נוהג להשתמש?
Didiom and Google Maps
איזה שירות או מוצר חסר לך אישית בעולם הסלולר?
Phones that don’t look like phones. Today’s phones are just more of the same. I’d also love to have a Didiom-compatible phone with built-in video projector to show the app to a group of people.
איזה שירות או מוצר סלולרי אכזב אותך באופן אישי?
Nokia Nseries and the old-fashioned UI of most of today’s phones.
