Do you Zabidoo? (The ‘web navigator’ for your mobile)

Published by Ewan on Wednesday 21st May 2008, 22:19 Comments | Filed under: Mobile

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Zabidoo is clickable directory delivering instant access to over 1,000 mobile websites. No typing URLs, no fuss. So reckons Sundeep Chind, Business Development Director of Instant Access Technologies, the company behind Zabidoo.

Zabidoo delivers what you want from the web on your mobile phone without
fuss.

� Just click technology
� Instant access to over fifty RSS feeds
� Comprehensive directory of over 1000 top mobile websites
� Combined search of the six best search engines, optimised to bring you mobile-friendly content
� Simple A-Z search facility taking you to any site very quickly
� Personalised environment for your interests
� Favourites synchronisation with your PC

It’s a smart idea that, with a fair wind, could really catch on. The combined search may, in particular, be really useful. I like the idea of PC favourites synchronisation too. I’ve typed in my number to get the application on my mobile and I’ll give it a go and find out.

Got a few mins? Get it on your mobile at www.zabidoo.com.

Tags: web navigator, Zabidoo

Nate Nead

great post and an interesting concept.

jobloggs

I use it but tried to downlaod in US and couldn't, their support line said it only works in UK. Good app tho and prefer it to T-Mobiel.

Joe

Wow i cant believe people would waste money on such a outdated concept. Come on, get with the program!

why_i_man_like

just downloaded it and it's good, found Kayak Mobile after about 2secs, not sure what Joe's on!

francoclearkin

I thought I've give this software a shot, its actually a plugin for your browser. Its bascially just a directory of websites. The application as a whole has been better produced else where. This software is basically one of those things you install for 5 minutes and then delete it.

The design looks a bit dated as well. I think the major thing I didnt like is in the terms and conditions it says that everything you browse will be stored and that information sold on to marketing companies.

your choice but this is not for me.

Franco x

why_i_like_man

Did you even use it? sounds like you didn't to me. It's my first choice when on my mobile going on 2 the web! Having revisited the t's and c's I can't find anything that says they'll sell my browsing habits to marketing companies. I've sent the company an email to confirm that's not the case. Will see what they say!

henryclark1983

Got to give praise to the startup for trying first of all. Everybodys entitled to their opinion. I personally dont think anything will ever come from the application. It definitely wont make any money but hey they gave it a go.

why_i_like_man

The company came back to me and invited me to take part in some focus/usability study they're running on the next release, which incidently sounds like the one theyr'e launching big-style! God I'm sad but I love this sort of thing! Maybe I just want a startup to come good and make a difference!

jlamb

Tried it, I have to say theres not really much too it . No offense :S.
The team at Cuil already have a better product then this. Their some of googles best developers. Give that a go.
Zabidoo is an outdated concept with the onset of newer mobile browsers and faster internet connections on mobile devices. If this product was released maybe 2 years ago it would have been a different story. Its too late now.

why_i_like_man

Cuil is good, already use it as my homepage in Zabidoo. I've also added Mahalo into my Zab browser. I'm using it more as a browser than anything else. The concept sits well with me as it reduces the crap i have to put up with on hte web. It works for me but i've made that point quite alot already sowill shut up!

jlamb

Great glad you like the software. Upon reviewing the software for myself I personally would not be happy using such a service. It is not something I would invest in.

I used the zabidoo client to find the best pizza resturant in my area. The results that I recieved were 40 miles away. Yes it is true that google has alot of "Crap" as you said but it works, its free and they dont have my name address and phone number in a database that they may possibly sell as the terms and conditions are subject to change. I performed the same search using google and I had the result I wanted straight away. I had to go through 8 clicks and drill down using Zabidoo.

I work for a government oganisation and something like this would never be allowed on the network due some serious concerns over the results of a risk assessment analysis.

You have to realise as well that the average user does not have alot of screen space so adding another two horizontal and vertical toolbars really restricts the users viewing area.
A GUI should should be simple not clouded by over 20 buttons that will rarely be clicked. If you look at the AOL and Apple interfaces the whole application looks very dated in comparison. The icon graphic on the buttons do not line up correctly. This may be something small but little things like this indicate a culture of lack of attention to detail.
The application may benefit from a usability study.

These comments may sound like harsh critiscism, but they are ment as positive critiscism so that this small startup can improve their software and maybe even find an investor who will provide the resource and expertise that is required to move this business on. As this application stands its first impression is that of a college project and not something that a serious commercial investor should be considering.

My suggestion to the startup would be to just organise a meeting with a company like Agency Republic based in Battersea. The company would benefit from a proffessional marketing influence.

why_i_like_man

Good feedback, lets hope they;re listening as I too think the layout is too busy!

On the "Pizza" search, I did the same search using a new version that the guys at Zabidoo gave me access to and the local search dropdown let me compare results for Pizza delivery in my area from BView, Google, Yahoo, Yell, Touch, Tipped, Thomson - I found that only Google and Thomson actually found my nearest pizza place!

What I don't think they make clear is that Zabidoo doesn't try to do search it simply harnesses the best providers within a single screen. The new version I'm trying is less cluttered but still needs some improvement. And I tried to install it at work and corporate network blocked it - need to look at that one too!

However, I use it once a day at home and am getting more out of the web now than before using just IE + Google to get around! Through Zabidoo started using Getty for image searches rather than just Google, stuff like that. From a marketing perspective I think they'll find it hard to explain the product as you need to "get it" by using it. New version if 1 million % better though!

George Chandler

There are hundreds of thousands of UK specific web directories on the web. All of them have moderated filtered content so this concept is not innovative at all. I would use one of those as an alternative as you are not forced to register and install a 3rd party plugin for your browser.

Try this as an alternative http://www.ukdirectory.co.uk/

skmaskell

When using the internet on my phone google mobile is my first choice.
Ask mobile is also very good with predictive text and reviewed content.

tomkunsh

Google all the way for me folks or yahoo directory :D

kleverkele

I tried this application I would honestly steer clear.
Use http://www.livesearchmobile.com/ it is whey better.

The zabidoo concept is flawed with so many already established big players who already have every area covered internationally as well as locally.

frandesloop

You know this app is too little too late.
If its still in a beta phase at this stage with every single one of its competitors each having released a better product that has been established for many many years then they are wasting everyones time. I wish these kids the best but I'm glad its not my money.

I tried the app and I think it can no way compete with
http://uk.mobile.yahoo.com/onesearch

anna

I just tried the mobile app and compared it to Vodafone live's latest offering. Zabidoo was much faster and has plenty of content just not covered by Voda. The A-Z tool for typing in a couple of letters to get various URL's for a site is a major time saver. My take is the concept isn't flawed as it brings together the mass of content "infinite choice" as I call it that the web offers into a simple UI. It gets my vote

BENDOG

It comes with Onesearch + Google + MSN + ASK + KAYAK! Am I the only person who is using it properly?

jennyfromthemansion

oh come on its just a browser plugin that links to existing 3rd party content and websites, and then stores all of that visitor data into a database along with the users registration info.

Thats like saying internet explorer is great because it comes with Onesearch + Google + MSN + ASK + KAYAK. These are just 3rd party websites that any app can link too it doesnt come with Zabidoo?

At the end of the day if your happy using it carry on I'm sure your not hurting anybody.

terryTechn

look at this link http://www.zabidoo.com/testimonials.jsp

They put some students in a room and paid them to praise the software. Either that or its some of the staff members. They then edited each of the videos poorly because you can tell when anything slighty negative is said the conversation is cut suddenly.

Poor things you can actually see them sweating and under heavy duress. They are stammering and talking quickly and looking around the room for confirmation. Reminds me of those videos you see of captured hostages in Iraq hahaa. leave the poor kids alone, its not fair to do that to them.

People arent stupid, they will judge for themselves.
I'm off to get a pizza
Terry

ralto

I just checked with companies house and the company was incorporated originally in 2002 under the name contacts4life.

If you search for information regarding contacts4life it seems they spent 4 years developing an application that took your outlook address book and syncronised it with your online email. If you read some of the tech reviews on the application on the register it seems they were slow in bringing the software to market.
This ment that their window of opportunity was lost as Microsoft and many other bigger players brought out a solution that was more feature rich, while they were still in development.

It does appear that history seems to be repeating itself with their Zabidoo app.

Good for the guys though to be honest as they've managed to stay in business for 6 years without generating any profit or having any of their products downloaded in any great number.

companieshouse.gov

Interesting reading.

TradingMAtt

Wow, I agree this application is destined to go no where and it is not innovative at all but who cares?
Why are so many people talking about this useless app??

Better things to do go out have some fun.

BENDOG

http://www.mobispine.com/

Looks interesting... A bit like Yahoo Go possibly?

BENDOG

And this...
http://www.handango.com/client/Home.jsp?siteId=...

MrBrine

success is about knowing your market, rather than just acting on a whim. “It’s about research, research, research. Good entrepreneurs make sure they have third-party validation before putting an idea into practice.

Gary Brine
Gyro International

Gilesy

This softwares look and feel is very poorly designed. It just has an uneasy feel about it.
I went to their privacy page and it doesnt work?

http://www.bestforarts.com/privacy.jsp

BENDOG

Try this

http://www.zabidoo.com/privacypolicy.jsp

Not quite sure what you found, but this is their policy.

BENDOG

Just downloaded the new PC release, BIG improvment on the last. It's consuming less CPU, starts up faster and has some sticky features like TV guide, advanced RSS reader, and aggregated price comparison.

allanwestie

Just had a go the content is very limited I must say. This is a very outdated concept I see it having a very limited appeal. This has been done so many times before in the last 10 years. This software offers nothing new unfortunately. Some of the skins look ok but AOL looks better.

atokomon

this software offers nothing new and is far behind any of its peers and competitors that are already there.

try http://www.skyfire.com/

fanman

I saw something like this on Dragons den. The idea was torn apart. No one invested as the dragons said why would anyone use it.

uknowthetruth

Its not very good is it
:(

tezza

I was really disapointed when I used both the web and mobile application.

tez

amyput

I downloaded the latest version. Its trying to be a jack of all trades. The problem is that it just makes what you do more complicated and slow. No one will use this application.

I dont believe in this product

GemmaHotchick

I've noticed this software is no longer available on any of the bigger reputable download sites???

whys that?

NickSilverman

Hey Gemma,
the problem is with Phorm like applications like Zabidoo is the legality of it all.
As a result most reputable companies are not willing to risk breaking any laws opening themselves up for litigation. Currently this kind of activity is frowned on. Concerns have been raised about privacy implications.

Thats why its missing from some of the major players download sites.
for more information visit
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2227514/phorm...

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/ispphorm/

TerryC

Try Wapple instead.

Zabidoo is dead now. I think the investor gave up after 5 years and no profit being made.
more then a little embarrising for him I would have thought.

	on it's way!		39%
	not for me		38%
	maybe later		22%

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