Vodafone's Vodablog .NET demonstration Weblog launched in U.K.

From picturephoning.com I learned that Vodablog, a new demonstration blog highlighting Microsoft's .NET platform has been launched for Vodafone in the U.K. Entries may be posted via SMS (code 2385) for text and via MMS (mms@vodablog.com) for photos.

Also, you may post videos. It will be possible to forward text, photos and videos from Vodablog as an MMS to cellular phones, but not currently with this demonstration effort.

Here's what Vodablog says about itself:

"* The underlying software architecture is developed in 14 months.

"* It is the most innovative and the only mobile blogging service that is built on Microsoft .NET Technologies.

"* It embodies a state-of-the art scalable software platform that leverages "Static-File-Creation-Technology", that is, blogs are re-generated as static html files each time blog is updated.

"* This scalable methodology is only used in Vodablog and Blogger (Google's desktop blooging company) in the world.

"* Vodablog developed the first/only innovative features such as blog notifications, converting any content to MMS format and sending application-to-mobile MMS Messages.

"* Vodablog is the only blogging service solution that leverages XML Web Services.

"* Vodablog is the only blogging service that supports OMA Digital Rights Management Specifications (Under Development)."

Sprint doesn't work

I set up a test moblog and sent a photo from my Treo 600 over Sprint PCS. No surprise -- it didn't work. Sprint uses Lightsurf Technologies for its back office camera phone software and LightSurf doesn't send the jpeg file, just a link to view the photos.

As a result of sending only a link, unless a moblog/Weblog company specifically configures its system to work with LightSurf, photos won'tbe posted. Many moblog hosting companies in the United States have figured out how to accept Sprint PCS photos.

LightSurf is very willing to work with companies to ensure compatibility. (Disclosure: Previously, I did some consulting for LightSurf. I don't consult for them now, but I would be glad to put moblog companies who need help accepting Sprint photos in touch with the right person at LightSurf.)

Comments

[Patrick]

Whom belong Vodablog? There is not mentioned Vodafone company, there is no Vodafone logo, I dont thing, Vodablog is officialy Vodafone service. Or Im wrong?

[mat]

Er, yeah. I've been having that problem with Sprint as well. You say you have a contact at Lightsurf? That would be super-helpful if you could send that on to me - I was halfway through a php script that read the webpage and looked for links..

Why they can't just send images, I don't know....

[August Kleimo]

Luckily for me I had a Sprint camera phone when I began developing my Moblog hosting service. My first challenge was to deal with LightSurf. I had to write code that parses their multipart mime email, find the photo link, download the phone, and save on the server (difficult but not rocket science). Most other providers make it simple by attaching a jpeg to the email (piece of cake). I suspect it's going to get trickier in the near future when providers start adopting MMS. To successfully parse Cingular MMS messages you have to hack the mime headers to get the jpeg to 'appear' as an attachment.

[Nox]

Is there any chance you know of moblog services that work with LightSurf's MMS system? I'm using a camera phone on Bell Mobility's network (www.bell.ca) and I can't seem to send photos to TextAmerica, BusyThumbs (www.busythumbs.com), Buzznet.com or Flickr.

Thanks.