HeyWire is a new take on group messaging, or as the company refers to it: a social communications hub that is truly global in nature. Simple one-to-one carrier-based text messaging models of yesteryear are going the way of the teletype; we’re moving into a new era of multi-client, international, open based messaging and chat.
Our App of the day, HeyWire, is a great example. And unlike potential competitors such as Moto Blur, you get your own phone number that can follow you across clients be it on your iPhone or your desktop via the Web.
The pitch: free messaging across the world (114 countries). Integration of Instant Messaging (360 mobile carriers), Facebook and Twitter into a cross-platform client.
For example, you want to send a message to ten friends. With HeyWire you just select your contacts, compose the message and send it off. Regardless if your friends use Facebook, regular text messaging, or Twitter, they will receive the same message. For the user it means you can get a single snapshot of all your social communications without having to jump back and forth across other apps.
“The secret is out,” CEO Meredith Flynn-Ripley told Stark Insider last month at gdgt Live San Francisco. “People prefer to use either texting or chatting versus voice.”
Give it a go, it’s available on iTunes now. Here’s the video from gdgt Live with a demo and more information about the service.
HeyWire
Unlimited international texting and chatting in real-time.
Available for: Apple iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch (coming soon for Android, BlackBerry)
Cost: Free
What we like: Simple interface, integration of IM, Facebook, Google Talk and Twitter, provides personal phone #
Competitors: Google Voice (downside: no support for International, Facebook, Twitter), Motorola Blur (downside: handset driven)
CEO: Meredith Flynn-Ripley
Business Model: Freemium, ad-supported – currently deliver ads to 25 countries
Investors: Lauder Partners
More information: www.heywire.com
