Wouldn’t it be funny to burp on command?
It’s a question probably every American boy has asked at one time or another. And thanks to a new wireless startup, such jocular bodily functions may soon be available-on command-to mobile-phone users.
“It’s a highly interactive entertainment application,” explained Jeff Kirschner, founder and vice president of marketing and content acquisition for PhoneBites Corp., an early-stage startup developing a unique sound-effects offering.
Essentially, PhoneBites’ technology would allow phone users to interject noises, voices and other sounds directly into phone conversations. The technology could support virtually any audio content, from Homer Simpsons’ “Doh!” to explosions from the movie “Die Hard” to the latest Beyonce hit. Users could even intersperse conversations with the gleeful sounds of burping, all on command. For example:
“Hi, Mom.”
Burping noise.
“What was that?”
“What was what?”
Burping noise.
“That!”
Burping noise.
“Oh that. That’s just me burping.”
Burping noise.
Luckily, such an application would only appeal to the basest members of society, such as teenage boys. It would certainly not appeal to college-educated wireless industry reporters.
“Yeah, must’ve been something I ate. Sorry.”
Burping noise.
“Michael Daniel Dano!”
Anyway, where was I? Oh, right. Founded 18 months ago, PhoneBites recently introduced its Razz headset, which is available through various Internet-based phone retailers, as well as Sprint.com. The headset features a standard mobile-phone headset jack and earpiece, but between the two sits the company’s Razz device. The device comes preloaded with various sound effects including, perhaps, burping noises.
Kirschner explained that the Razz device is just a “proof of concept” effort for the company. PhoneBites’ real focus is on a Razz software application that would sit inside a handset. Kirschner said the application will allow users to download sound effects from the Internet and then link those sounds to the keys on their phone. Thus, to interject Snoop Dogg’s “Fo’ shizzle” catch phrase, you would press 1. Enterprising users could even download the sound of static to end uncomfortable or unwanted calls.
“It’s as wide as the users’ imagination,” Kirschner said.
Naturally, PhoneBites faces several significant technological and business challenges. On the technology side, the company will have to engineer a mobile-phone application that could break into a voice conversation-a function most mobile phones are designed to prohibit. However, Kirschner said it is a “very attainable goal,” and the company is currently researching various handset and application technologies that could support the Razz software engine. On the business side, the company will have to negotiate with carriers, handset makers and content providers to complete its Razz offering. Kirschner said PhoneBites has developed a proprietary sound format that would protect copyrighted effects, like Homer’s “Doh!”
Kirschner said the key to the product is Studio Razz, which would allow users to upload their own sound effects to the Internet and then download them to their handsets. Kirschner said the offering would be called Club Razz.
“Our value proposition is really to both the carrier and the content providers,” Kirschner said.
Kirschner said PhoneBites is in negotiations with various industry players for the offering. He estimated that the soonest the Razz application would be available is by the end of this year. The Razz headset is available on PhoneBites.com and elsewhere for about $20.
Burping noise.
“Stop that this minute!”
