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ok so I got an email announcing the end of the Lycos Circle's Beta test saying it will end on September
17, 2005
but notice nothing about when or IF it will start up again. The email makes it seem NOT. (referring ppl to Tripod.)
so interesting points/something to ponder:
1. looks like it failed. Daum's vicarious effort to bring a mini-homep type system to the USA just didn't take. (or their initial offering of it did). Though there is a chance it really is just ending its beta and gunna release the cool versoin later....I wouldn't hold my breath.
2. MSN spaces seems to still be going strong. hmm...
what did spaces have that circles didn't? I don't really know...cause well...they are both measely shells of cyworld stuff, so I didn't much pay attention...which brings me to...
cyworld.
I've been guessing this for WAAAYY too long...but now the word "on the street" is cyworld got a state-side partner and will be launching services by the end of the year or first quarter next year.
I am REALLY REALLY curious what that is going to look like and how well it will do when it comes out. The seemingly immiment death of circles can't be a good sign (though it did pretty much suck from what I saw. heh).
IMO, it will be a MISTAKE to "westernize" cyworld TOOOOOOOOOO much (which I would was circles problem). Asia style stuff is getting more mainstream in the US and it IS that quirkiness that is appealing and truly separates it from whatever is avaialbe stateside now. Of course, gotta cut out like 200% of the cutsy factor...but I think that can be done without undoing what makes cyworld---cyworld. If done with the right amount of style and keeping the cyworld flavor....it might just be able to pick up and do what circles looks to have failed to.
once again...we'll have to see.
(Btw, the mini-homep tech has gone nutz. Cyworld still dominates...but new competition has popped up with really crazy cool tech (3-D!) too try to offer something value-added to the cyworld/daum planet offerings. IMO, since cyworld was bought out by conglomerate giant SK telecom, its suffered the "play to the masses" syndrome...and long WANTS to push the envelope. Their recent feature upgrades were....lame (imo). just some features to the diary. *yawn* The other guys have some really exciting stuff.)
ie: repeat......REALLLY REAAALY curious what cyworld will look like stateside.
[edited by: jatar_k at 1:54 am (utc) on Aug. 18, 2005]
[edit reason] no email quotes [/edit]
Unless Cyworld can generate some massive word of mouth, grass roots PR then it'll be a non-starter in the US market. Either that or Google will have to buy them. ;) Any word on who's shopping Cyworld these days?
