Microsoft-Skype deal has finally been sealed, which makes a thought pop in one’s mind, that is, What are Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, the European serial entrepreneurs up to next? The duo, who have previously founded KaZaA, Skype, Joost and Rdio, are gunning for Netflix as they are giving online video another shot.
Zennstrom and Friis have worked out this new project quietly, without letting many know about it. The duo have managed to assemble an A-team of media and web technology experts, who have been hired to launch a site. The model seems to be replicated, as it shares similarity with their music subscription site Rdio in the video space. Vdio is different from Rdio, is what the company notes in a set of Q & A, which was sent by the company to GigaOm.
One can read the Q & A here, as GigaOm’s Janko Roettgers has taken efforts to pile them up on their site. The list has a question, where they note their difference as compared to Netflix and LoveFilm. The question and its respective answer is posted below:
How is it different from Netflix and LoveFilm?
We think people will love using VDIO.
The service may be new to the general public, as it hasn’t been launched publicly yet. But sources note that it was kept secret for almost two years. The existence of the company was noted as the Vdio logo comes with a small trademark symbol, and a search with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reveals that the mark was registered in the summer of 2009 by a company called Pulser Music Services, Inc. Interestingly, the same company was behind the launch of Rdio, two years ago.
Vdio.com has been mysteriously moving in for the general public, but it seems its well made to suit the likings of the people. This can be said as Vdio’s website features a rotating display of high-profile movies and TV shows. It would keep the visitors notified of different movies and TV shows, as its in a shuffle mode.
Visiting the site, one might notice that the company has spotlighted popular movies like The Dark Knight and Karate Kid as well as TV shows like Mad Men and The Tudors. To add to the excitement, they have a slogan posted near it, which reads “Are You Watching?”.
The login option for users is linked to Facebook, as one can login via Facebook, as well as invite users through the same mode. If a visitor from U.S. tries accessing the site, it has an alert posted, which reads that Vdio is “currently available in the U.K. only.” But the U.K. Residents even have not been able to get the first look of Vdio, as for them the company notes that Vdio is “coming soon” to their country.
The site has a sophisticated look, but its strange that it has no imprint, no link, no about page.