Times Internet Ltd (Indiatimes), the Internet and Mobile arm of the Times of India group, has launched HiBuddy, a voice based social network for mobile subscribers in India. While the service has currently been launched with Reliance Mobile, it's worth noting that the access is via Indiatimes' code 58888199. Once enabled with other telecom operators, HiBuddy could offer the interoperability that Airtel Blogs currently lacks. But why does Indiatimes have two separate networks - iTimes for the Internet, and Hibuddy for mobile? Mobile enabling iTimes would have added to its userbase, while also offering iTimes users a voice/mobile option; additionally, they would have another dataset for existing iTimes users: the mobile number. Ibibo's recent launch of MyVoice serves as an example of voice based status updates on web and mobile (though I wish there was a way to disable their SMS updates). Pricing Access to Hibuddy on Reliance is priced at Rs. 15 for 15 days for subscription, and Rs. 1 per minute for access. Users can sign up with their mobile number, go to the Manage Friends menu and send an add request voice message to other subscribers. Users can visit "Your Personal Zone", listen to updates from their friends and respond to them; they can visit "Edit my profile" to change their status. Rights To Your Updates; Promotional Updates On HiBuddy According to Hibuddy's terms and conditions: - Ownership of Content: "User hereby grant (sic) to TIL and its affiliates, a non-exclusive, royalty free, perpetual, irrevocable and sub-licensable…
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