May 14th, 2007
Ccube widget to allow one-click calling from Craigslist
Tomorrow, over-the-phone social networking site Ccube will announce a widget that will let Craigslist users talk to anyone instantly, while remaining completely anonymous.
The way that Ccube puts it, Craigslist users will need only include their Ccube usernames or "Call me on Ccube" buttons to speak directly with potential buyers or romantic partners without revealing their real phone numbers.
Ccube's widget will also users promote their own "Call me on Ccube" button or personal URL right on their Craigslist post or profile.
Frankly, I think that Ccube's one-click calling on Craigslist is somewhat more compelling than, say Skype one-click on eBay. That's due to the fract that more often than not, Craigslist items have more urgency. If you see a great apartment, or a cool chair, it's not going to be gone within a few days after the eBay auction's over. It might be gone in five minutes- unless you are able to call the seller and talk the matter through.
At the same time, current Craig's list advertisers often don't like to list their phone numbers. But if they were on Ccube, that wouldn't matter because of the anonymity I just mentioned.
There is a looming issue to all of this, though? The Ccube press release to be issued tomorrow about this doesn't quote anyone with Craigslist.
Will Craig's object to a fairly obscure service jumping in to the Craigs UI before more established players like Skype have?
Russell Shaw is an enterprise computing journalist, analyst and author based in Portland, Oregon. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
