Like the alchemists of old who converted lead into gold, Cellyspace launched an application yesterday that automatically converts RSS (Really Simple Syndication) to MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) feeds directly to mobile subscriber’s messaging in-boxes.
There is bound to be gold for someone at the end of this rainbow.
Skycore, the developers of Cellyspace, think the auto-conversion of RSS content will make mobile syndication easier and more readily available. It is hoped that by delivering multimedia feeds rather than short, text-only feeds subscribers will be more fully engaged in the content.
By converting the Really Simple to Multimedia, a feed can be viewed without a subscriber first logging onto a mobile web site or launching a feed reader application. Instead, subscribers are alerted on receipt of the feed and can view it immediately or whenever most convenient since it’s stored in their messaging in-box. This thing is better than having your own Philosopher’s Stone.
The magically converted Simple transmutes into a Multimedia slide show that includes up to eight slides, each with an image, 300 
characters of text and an optional URL link for additional content, info or promotions. MMS Feeds can be billed to the end user as either premium or standard rated feeds. Providers are given the choice to add third-party advertising or promotions to their feed.
“Feeds with both images and text are generally more compelling than those with text alone. Engaging subscribers improves subscription retention and increases their response to any call to action in the feed,” said Rich Eicher, President of Skycore LLC.
I’m not in the advertising or promotion business but this looks like the type of thing that can put some serious gold pieces in your purse if used correctly. Three links are provided below.
This is an awesome idea. Mass-transit commuters don’t have an iPhone yet, but would love spending that 1 hour ride reading anything.
Comment by alex — March 29, 2008 @ 7:36 am
Are you on crack!?! It costs 50c per mms on most united states operators. Most unlimited packages are 7 to 10 bucks extra per month.
Why bother!?!
Comment by kimbo — March 31, 2008 @ 2:48 pm
In the UK it’s the publisher who pays, also at a rate of about 25p per MMS.
We’ve had this functionality in our LiveConductor product for a couple of years but uptake is limited by the high cost imposed by the operators - meaning that publishers need to come up with a business model for what should be a simple add-on to a site. The operators are the only ones seeing at gold at the moment!
Comment by Jeff Tupholme — April 1, 2008 @ 7:11 am
CellySpace is kinda cool but you should check out http://feeds.fastbreakmobile.com/
We also do RSS to MMS syndication ( since 07 ) and we don’t have a credit system or anything like that. Check us out!
Comment by courtney — April 1, 2008 @ 7:37 am
1) 50 cents per mms? MMS is now rated the same as an SMS on all tier 1 carriers and is actually bundled into the same plan as ‘messages’. What rock you are living under Kimbo?
2) .25p per MMS is alot and surely cannot be supported by ad’s (or even premium SMS). When the operators lower their rates hopefully you will be in a position to be successful with your RSS/MMS service as well. The competition should be based on who has the best value to the end user, the best content and the best device adaptation.
Comment by Jay — April 7, 2008 @ 9:23 am
I dunno. It is pretty cool. I guess it remains to be seen if advertisers or sponsors will subsidize the delivery. Message charges are included in my plan, so it’s no skin off my hide. If the carriers lower their costs it surely will take off. If the content is compelling, somebody will pay for it. Also, that could be a lot of good will for a news organization, right? It could drive people back to WAP and websites, maybe buy the paper. By the way, I think that fastbreak is an email gateway.
Comment by mark — April 11, 2008 @ 7:19 am