JHBLive chalks up another mobile first

The young adult culture magazine offers its users cutting edge content contributed from a selection of top writers and columnist. Its services range from quality content to nightlife directory and gallery pages where users can log on and see their photos from events in and around the Joburg area.

JHBLive has capitalised on the new mobile technology available in the SA market place. "We do not see our selves as a website. I like to classify our company as a new media content provider," says Michael Balkind, MD of JHBLive. "We were the first to launch with the online gallery system in the country, and we knew the value it served as an advertising tool. People love to see photos of themselves and their friends on a night out. Now with our new technology created by our IT Partner, Igroup, we give users the ability to download their photos directly to their phones."

The way the new service operates is that users log on to view their photos after being photographed by a JHBLive photographer at an event. Once the photo has been selected, users simply sms the code to the number provided and with in seconds an sms is returned with directions to download the photo.

JHBLive's IT partner Igroup, who recently launched their new mobile company iGroupMobile.com, are very pleased with the way system operates. "The technology behind it is extremely complicated," says Seymour.

He explains that the offering makes use of a conventional MMS platform, which has been adapted to integrate into the JHBLive picture gallery system. The technology is essentially the same as that used by many emerging MMS offerings, however this is the first time MMS has been used for a photo gallery system.

With in the next month JHBLive is going to be launching another new service that will enable users to access relevant content via two-way sms. "The new media technology available now will change the way we interact with content for ever," says Balkind.

"Our aim is to enable people in the urban environment to access information that is directly relevant to themselves and their surroundings any where, any time, in the LIVE way."

JHBLive has been operating for over 4 years and is a member of the Online Publishing Association (OPA).