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Bindle has changed a lot since their V1 post on PH. I always chuckle at "X for Y" taglines, but this one actually pretty apt when you dive in.
Normally in messaging apps, the "first class feature" is 1-1 chats. In Bindle, it's groups. Bindle, like Slack, is about what happens when you focus everything on how to make groups awesome. In Slack it's about your org and integrations to GSD; in Bindle, it's a more fluid social groupings, and integrations focus more on connection/self-expression.
@ChrisToy can probably do a better job explaining than I can. Will hit him up to answer questions for people. I love hearing him talk about the "future of messaging" as he sees it. Chris, how did the Bindle team get the idea for this iteration, and where do you see messaging going in the future?
@staringispolite thanks Jon! You've actually summed up Bindle pretty damn well.
To answer your questions... we build this iteration through a lot of product testing and market learning to zero on in making group comm more natural and efficient. Consumer is a pretty different beast to enterprise as you'd expect, let alone mobile-first.
An example is our Whisper feature, which lets you private message people inline to the group chat instead of starting the new one or even changing apps entirely. Removing that barrier has been a huge hit, and users tell us it's led to better and more frequent communication amongst their group. That's amazing for us to hear.
As for the future of messaging: The "networked" era means we have huge numbers of connections across multiple platforms, but those platforms have become media publishers. When people say messaging is "next", I think they're saying efficient communication with people is "next", and I agree.
We've already seen Bindle used beyond just small groups of friends, and also connecting extended families, entire sororities, co-working spaces, small towns or neighborhoods/apartment buildings. Even a pastor with his congregation! It's been really exciting.
Was expecting more people to call me out for the "X for Y" tagline. Luckily, some people on the #ProductHunt Bindle chat are coming through on that front :) Everybody go tell @ChrisToy why he's wrong in the chat! (And/or livechat about other PH submissions)
For all of you old hunters: So far the closest thing to that old school community feel that IRC and AOL chatrooms had.
Came across a Medium post about Bindle written by Andrew Watts in my daily email digest. Remember, he's the "actual teen" from Austin that wrote about various social products recently. He distilled the concept and key features of Bindle quite nicely. I've been on the beta, as well. Our co-working space has had lively discussion and the whisper feature is pretty genius. Check out Andrew's post here > https://medium.com/@thatswattsup...
@lylemckeany Thanks so much for sharing--really glad you enjoyed the article! I've been playing around with Bindle and have loved it.
I've been using Bindle chat for a few months now and it has grown on me. At first, I was skeptical coming from the MessageMe team and seeing first-hand what it's like to be in the space even with a high-quality app like MM. Who misses sending Doodles to friends in MM?
@ChrisToy and the Bindle team have hyper-focused on the dynamics of group chat and continue to innovate there. The feel of a Bindle group chat is pleasantly novel, they're building a new model of communication for groups and I look forward to where they're going.
I predict that '/r/whisperfails' will be a thing.
@ChrisToy @estrada_joseph God, those doodle wars. #RIPMessageMe
MessageMe nailed self-expression more than any other messaging app IMO. You guys really nailed that aspect.
I've been using Bindle for a while, and have been beta testing the new version. It's such a welcome relief from group SMS -- mostly because of the /whisper feature. I just need to get the rest of my family on it now.
Now they just need to get going on cross-platform!
@jordanskole Yes! Once they're on desktop, I'm going to switch my family over too
@jordanskole @staringispolite Is it weird if I also raise my hand to ask for a web app?
@jordanskole @christoy Hahaha if by hand you mean product roadmap, then no ;)
@christoy /whisper: very nice idea. Would love to try on iOS, but need access in Singapore. Please fire up ;)
fyi: I added Bindle to the ever growing Chat & Messaging collection: http://bit.ly/1urlQir
@pieterpaul Thanks Pieter! We'll open up soon, was going to localize but I guess Singapore is decent with English (same as HK where I'm from :D). Thanks for adding us to your collection!
@christoy Yah, Singapore is actually a great test market for iOS: super high penetration of high-end devices and English speaking bunch. Looking forward to try Bindle once you guys are ready!
I love the ability to create and join chats with nothing more than a hashtag. Also GIF and in-line image search is awesome.
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