Anyone know how they were planning on getting revenue? I know that can sometimes be a snarky question, but this seems like a good idea and I'm genuinely curious... especially because it looks like they launched as a free service. Were they thinking this is something that a small business owner would eventually pay $5-20/month for?
Google acquires TalkBin (YC W11)
21–30 of 37 posts
Re: Google acquires TalkBin (YC W11)
#22Does anybody know where the founders come from? if they were known from before? Asking because it sounds like Google was after the team more than anything… 5 months doesn't leave much time for them to prove what they're capable of, so I'm curious.
This was not just a team play. I saw Talkbin signs in Coupa Cafe in Palo Alto - immediately understood the concept and potential. I sent a text to the owner and received a response within 10 minutes. Talkbin if I understood it correctly is enabling us all to "talk with" the store managers or workers via text and mobile app. It's actually a very powerful communication vehicle and right up Google's ally.
Mobile's going to be an increasingly interesting strategy with local businesses. When these owners and workers are running their business, they're not running into the back room to check computers or laptops or websites - but they do have their phones and can often step aside to respond to a quick SMS. I imagine Talkbin has caught on to this - lots of other startups don't seem to - and this really feels like a product where everyone benefits in the end.
Re: Google acquires TalkBin (YC W11)
#23If you read between the lines, Google's announcement focuses on the team and says "the team", not the product will be a great addition to Google. Similarly, the TalkBin announcement uses words like "While we are proud of what we accomplished ... Google will help us make our bigger goals a reality".
Both sides know the product is dead. I guess Google is acquring the talent and the concepts.
Re: Google acquires TalkBin (YC W11)
#24I tried so hard to invest in you guys. At least it validates my thinking. Congratulations! :)
There will be a lot more opportunities. At least your gut told you they were a winner. Now ask your gut to go pick the next one (and tell me what it is.)
Email me and I'll give away all my secrets. :)
Re: Google acquires TalkBin (YC W11)
#25Does anybody know where the founders come from? if they were known from before? Asking because it sounds like Google was after the team more than anything… 5 months doesn't leave much time for them to prove what they're capable of, so I'm curious.
This was not just a team play. I saw Talkbin signs in Coupa Cafe in Palo Alto - immediately understood the concept and potential. I sent a text to the owner and received a response within 10 minutes. Talkbin if I understood it correctly is enabling us all to "talk with" the store managers or workers via text and mobile app. It's actually a very powerful communication vehicle and right up Google's ally.
It's a great idea. A complaining customer can probably get hold of a manager quicker this way than by causing ruckus and looking like an idiot.
Lots of interesting possibilities like integrating testimonials to a tv screen or social media sites.
Re: Google acquires TalkBin (YC W11)
#26If you read between the lines, Google's announcement focuses on the team and says "the team", not the product will be a great addition to Google. Similarly, the TalkBin announcement uses words like "While we are proud of what we accomplished ... Google will help us make our bigger goals a reality". Both sides know the product is dead. I guess Google is acquring the talent and the concepts.
Actually from what I've heard that's not the case.
As I often find myself saying on HN, if you're going to be nasty, you'd better be right. Though honestly, why be nasty at all? These guys are celebrating. Why post comments belittling their achievement?
Re: Google acquires TalkBin (YC W11)
#27Does anybody know where the founders come from? if they were known from before? Asking because it sounds like Google was after the team more than anything… 5 months doesn't leave much time for them to prove what they're capable of, so I'm curious.
Education wise, they are composed of a Harvard grad, a Yale grad, and a Stanford student. Background wise, they are composed of two with backgrounds in retail at SHLD, and one from GOOG. They are a great team, but their product is also great, so I think that it's more than just for talent.
SHLD == Sears. The ticker symbol is ambiguous to the untrained eye, and saved you maybe one keystroke.
Re: Google acquires TalkBin (YC W11)
#28If you read between the lines, Google's announcement focuses on the team and says "the team", not the product will be a great addition to Google. Similarly, the TalkBin announcement uses words like "While we are proud of what we accomplished ... Google will help us make our bigger goals a reality". Both sides know the product is dead. I guess Google is acquring the talent and the concepts.
Actually from what I've heard that's not the case. As I often find myself saying on HN, if you're going to be nasty, you'd better be right. Though honestly, why be nasty at all? These guys are celebrating. Why post comments belittling their achievement?
While I'm sure everyone here is happy for them (and you, their backers), I think it's also natural to be inquisitive as to the nature of the acquisition. alain94040's post might have benefited from a more curious and less categorical tone, but I don't think it was fundamentally 'nasty' either, as it's common knowledge that many products do not really continue to exist once in Google.
Of the YC companies that have gone to Google, what were their products, and those products' fates inside Google? (Not a rhetorical question, the subject got me interested; maybe I'm wrong in my 'common knowledge'). Edit: something else interesting to look at, utilizing your own data, might be the acquisition price vs the product's fate.
In any event, it's good news, and the team deserve congratulations.
Re: Google acquires TalkBin (YC W11)
#29Does anybody know where the founders come from? if they were known from before? Asking because it sounds like Google was after the team more than anything… 5 months doesn't leave much time for them to prove what they're capable of, so I'm curious.
This was not just a team play. I saw Talkbin signs in Coupa Cafe in Palo Alto - immediately understood the concept and potential. I sent a text to the owner and received a response within 10 minutes. Talkbin if I understood it correctly is enabling us all to "talk with" the store managers or workers via text and mobile app. It's actually a very powerful communication vehicle and right up Google's ally.
Small nitpick..I think you meant alley instead of ally.
Re: Google acquires TalkBin (YC W11)
#30Congrats to these guys! These guys were stealth from funding to acquisition. Seems like this will be the Google equivalent of Yelp.
I see them less as an equivalent to yelp and more as a way of providing instant feedback to business owners. It seems more a feedback system than a review site. I haven't had the chance to try it out though so this is based purely on what I've read about them.
Yeah... your comment clarified this for me. "Reviews" are intended for other (potential) customers. "Feedback" is intended for the business itself. Prior to TalkBin, customers left reviews on Yelp/Foursquare/etc and hoped the business itself looked at it once in awhile. TalkBin makes the feedback process more direct.