Tuesday 14 December 2010

NEW for December 2010, Ad-supported and paid-for HulloMail Applications

You will have received an email this week announcing some slight changes to our HulloMail applications, so we thought we would take this opportunity to provide you with a little more information.
We're committed to providing a free service and to continue to do this, this week, we are introducing advertising to our popular Android, BlackBerry and iPhone applications.  The advertising is visual and not audio, and will be included in the central message list and the message detail screen on the Android and iPhone.  For the BlackBerry, the ads will only appear on the central message list due to the lack of a message detail screen.
We understand that not everyone wants advertising so we're also introducing ad-free, paid-for versions of all our apps. These apps will contain no advertising and will be the first in-line to receive new features planned for 2011 such as enhanced group messaging, further personalisation options and message management tools.
The price of the ad-free app is £3.99, $6.99 or €5.49 for the year depending on your country, which is the equivalent of just pence or cents per week!
This week the ads will be turned-on automatically so to keep using the free service you don't need to do anything.  If you have already decided that ads aren't for you then you need to delete the current version of the app from your phone, search for HulloMail Smart Voicemail in your app store, purchase it and install in the usual way -  signing in with your normal account details.  You will notice that the paid-for, ad-free versions of the applications have a different icon.




Any problem you can find the answer in the FAQ section of the website or contact support@hullomail.com who are always happy to help.


Friday 5 November 2010

Cameron reveals Silicon Valley vision for the East London

I was flabbergasted yesterday by the revelation that Mr. Cameron has a start-up vision for this country, more specifically, this area of East London. I was eager to hear what he had to say. I even exchanged emails with Rory, from the BBC, in regard to his blog post on the subject. Rory's view was that we're all drinking 'skinny' cappuccinos in local cafes however, I soon pointed out he is more likely to find us drowning out our disappointments following VC meetings. 
I guess it's good to know that our man at the top, Mr. Cameron, speaks to the founders of Google and clearly listens to them. I am confused as to why they would have had a problem starting their business in the UK though. Copyright law? Hmm they seemed to be ok with YouTube having that problem? Come on guys, IP law in general, not just in the UK but also in the USA is completely out of date in its application to Software, the WEB and technology - invention is re-invention. We in start up world get patents to impress VC's and protect ourselves, so imagine that - you have an idea and you next protect yourself from it. I will let you into a secret, we need VC money to pay the Patent lawyer. Ok, I'm exaggerating. But I exaggerate to make a point.  
Mr. Cameron If you want to throw the cat amongst the pigeons make the UK IP indifferent. The innovation will be massive. We would have a Silicon Valley over night, the whole of the UK, indeed all those development agencies being shut down won't be necessary anyway so it was a good idea to close them - well done.  The Valley will run from Land's End to John O'Groats. Anyone with an idea will flock to the UK. 
But I deviate; I do not mean to get into a conversation about how silly IP law is. 
What I really wanted to say is Mr. Cameron you maybe be saving the UK from sinking under the weight of interest payments, but to help UK start-ups here in the East End or anywhere else in the UK you could ask us directly. I am sure you would hear "Give us a break on Employer NI contributions for a couple of years" or "Can you ask corporate UK to rethink draconian payment terms of 90 days that hard times seem to warrant. We don't have a problem if they do it between themselves but to start-up tech companies it’s very tough to make ends meet". If you ask us directly, I doubt you'll hear any problems arising from a lack of capability, passion, people, or come to that copyright infringement. 
What you'll hear loud and clear, in my opinion, is that to have a Silicon Valley outside of the USA you might need Silicon Valley VC's and culture which appears to be less risk-aversed, NOT large companies moving in and shooting the rents up. We are a community here that has spawned from Old Street roundabout. We are an organically evolving interesting local development. The reason we are here is a combination of rent, location, good pubs (I personally recommend the Fox), good clubs and no tourists asking you where Regents Park is when you nip out for your sandwich. Google have a nice office just off Victoria Station because they can afford the rent there. 
You have a point when you say we have a great entrepreneurial spirit but for some reason the support fabric, probably due in part to culture, is not quite there yet. Do something there if you want to help.  
Please tell the Google Founders we say Hullo! and ask them can they rethink their location as the rent here is reasonable at the moment....
Cheers
Andy
PS. I would be concerned that saddling UK students with more debt will mean we'll sadly see choices being made between - do I do my idea and create or do I get rid of this debt hanging over my head and get a job, pen pushing to pay off the debt? Contradiction maybe?

Thursday 28 October 2010

We took voicemail to facebook for Android now we've done it again with iPhone!


Just two weeks after launching the Facebook share feature on the Android app, we've today announced we've extended this new feature to the iPhone.
Our iPhone users can, for the first time, easily share voicemails directly onto their Facebook wall from within the app. The messages can either be a voicemail that has been received from a contact or a Hullo (an instant voice message), which can be recorded and immediately posted onto the popular social networking site for friends to hear. 
The Facebook Share feature is an extremely quick and easy way to share inbound and outbound voice messages with friends so they can hear an important update or a classic message.  It also offers a new way to keep in touch with friends online; now, instead of simply reading status updates, users can listen to what friends have to say and, in turn, hear their tone of voice, expression, humour, sarcasm etc. 
Andy Munarriz, our founder and CEO, said: “With the introduction of our Facebook Share feature for the iPhone app, we are offering a completely new way for users to share voicemails and voice messages with their Facebook friends. It adds a completely new and fun dimension to both voicemail and the social networking experience. Next time a priceless voicemail is received, both our iPhone and Android users now have the option to instantly share it on their Facebook page for their friends to enjoy. I believe that voicemail will never be the same again.”
The new facebook share feature is included in version 1.2, which is available to download now via iTunes today!

Thursday 14 October 2010

And We're Live!


We're pleased to announced the launch of HulloMail in Ireland. For the first time, smartphone users across Ireland can now download our free voicemail and voice messaging application that offers a modern replacement to network operator’s traditional voicemail service: We've launched our smart voicemail app for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry devices, providing a completely new approach to accessing, managing and sending voice messages, today!
“Have you ever been really frustrated with the standard voicemail offering from your Mobile Operator, or wished you could access your voicemails faster from your mobile, email or via the web? Well, HulloMail now allows Irish smartphone users a way to get more from both their phone and voicemail; it has all the features you would expect from a voicemail service plus so much more,” said Andy Munarriz, our founder and CEO, HulloMail. “Its great to be launching in Ireland and I encourage smartphone users to visit their app store today and download HulloMail for free.”
Recently, we've introduced Facebook Share to the Android app, this feature will also be able for the iPhone shortly. For the first time, Our users can now share voicemails and instant voice messages directly onto their Facebook wall at the press of a button from within the mobile app, creating an easy way to quickly share priceless messages with Facebook friends.
Concludes Andy, “After nearly 20 years of voicemail doing the same old job, we're pleased to be at the forefront of introducing something completely new for the 21st century. People have moved on and now expect voicemail to be as flexible as any other form of digital communications and that is exactly the experience that HulloMail provides to mobile users across the UK, USA and now Ireland.”
Our mobile apps are easy to install and work with your existing mobile phone number and operator, meaning there is no requirement to change numbers or be given another.
Think we might go and have a couple of pints of Guinness to celebrate!




And finally, a big thanks to all our testers in Ireland that provided us with some great feedback.

Tuesday 5 October 2010

HulloMail now allows you to share voicemails and Hullos with your facebook friends!


We are please to announced the launch of version 3.0 of our Android application, which sees the introduction of a number of major new updates to this popular smart voicemail and instant voice messaging app.
For the first time, our users can now share voicemails and instant voice messages directly onto their Facebook wall from within the app at the press of a button. Friends can then listen to the message in a click on Facebook. This feature provides a more personal way to keep in contact with friends, by allowing them to hear tone of voice and real emotion instead of simply reading text-based posts.  Every had an hilarious voicemail you've wanted to share with friends?  Well, now you can.
Andy Munarriz, our founder and CEO, said: “We have made it really easy to share voicemails and voice messages directly with Facebook, adding a completely new dimension to voicemail and the social networking experience. Next time you get a priceless voicemail, you can share it with your Facebook wall immediately; I think we might even be the first on the planet to make it this easy! Voicemail will never be the same again. Our latest Android app is the first to have this ability; it has also been re-worked from the ground up and is now a faster and more polished experience.”
The ability to share on facebook is a configurable option, so you can turn this ON or OFF depending on your preference.
The HulloMail iPhone app will be the next to include the new Facebook Share feature – details will be announced soon.
To download HulloMail’s free Android app, version 3.0, and get sharing visit The Android Market on your mobile phone and search for HulloMail.

Thursday 16 September 2010

HulloMail selected as a Tech Media Invest 100 Company


We've been revealed as one of the best emerging and innovative tech and media companies in the UK’s 2010 Tech Media Invest 100 listing.
The Tech Media Invest Top 100, which is produced in association with The Guardian, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Kemp Little, is a list of today’s hottest and most innovative emerging companies in the ever converging tech and media industries.  HulloMail has been selected for the work it is doing in the mobile voicemail and instant voice messaging space.
The Tech Media Invest 100 (TMI) aims to showcase high-growth companies that are developing innovative ways to serve business and consumers, and have the potential to radically change the shape of the technology and media industry.
The resulting list was approved by Tech Media Invest Advisory Board, which consisted of some of the UK’s most experienced investors in modern technology and media - a mix of venture capitalists, investment analysts, professional advisers and technology lawyers, who applied judgement and identified the best performers and the ones to watch.
In addition, We're also celebrating the news that we've been selected as a finalist in the 2010 BCS & Computing UK IT Industry Awards, for its Consumer IT Innovation of the Year category.  Winners will be announced on 11 November.
Andy, our founder and CEO, said: “To be recognised in the 2010 Tech Media Invest 100 listing as a technology success story for our innovation and creativity is a great achievement. Since we launched our smart voicemail and voice messaging app over a year ago, we have seen a massive appetite for our service and look forward to delivering even more new services and innovations over the coming months.”

Monday 23 August 2010

Where is Silicon Roundabout?

You have heard of Silicon Valley in America, and you've heard of Silicon Fen in East Anglia and now you have Silicon Roundabout, just round the corner from Silicon Street in Central London. The home of HulloMail, the voice messaging company. 
We've been getting a lot of coverage in the UK Nationals recently, featuring in the Telegraph, the Sunday Times, the Metro and now, today,  The Guardian.


Jemima KissPosted byJemima Kiss Monday 23 August 2010 09.54 BST
HulloMail chief executive and founder Andy MunarrizHulloMail chief executive and founder Andy Munarriz
• What's your pitch?
"We answer your phone when you can't, sending messages left by the caller straight to your phone - you can play it back as if it where a music track on your iPod. It also tells you when someone called you but did not leave a message. You can see all your voicemails in one single list with a photo of the person next to each message - this saves you time as you can play each messages by simply selecting it. You don't have to make a call and listen to the person telling you who called, when they called and then wait to hear the messages in the order they were left. It's much less frustrating!

"We have another a cool feature that lets you send a voicemail without having to call that person. Press record, leave your message and then send – it's is quick and free.

"HulloMail is a cloud-based service. Users sign-up by downloading the mobile app from the relevant marketplace (currently AndroidBlackBerryand iPhones in the UK, USA and soon Ireland). Part of the sign-up process sets your mobile divert to our cloud answer service (voicemail, in layman's speak). We then have the ability to answer your phone calls when you don't – essentially, we replace your mobile operator voicemail service. When someone leaves you a message, we then push it directly to the HulloMail mobile app on the phone and also to your email, so you can play it directly from your device or as an MP3 attachment.

"Finally, we let you send new and reply-to voice messages to your contacts without having to make a physical call. These messages are called Hullos - short voice messages you can send directly to fellow HulloMail users or anyone with an email address."

• How do you make money?
"We make most of our money from technology licenses and services, but this will shift to revenue from co-branded cloud-based services for consumers, in conjunction with mobile operators. We also expect the consumer services to pay for themselves when we launch paid-for advanced features from autumn 2010."

• How are you surviving the downturn?

"We are keeping focused and not overextending ourselves. We are lucky that smartphones are still selling like hotcakes and users are hungry forapps."

• What's your background?
"My background is in software and systems design. I consider myself a technologist with a passion of user interface design.

"I've worked for 20 years in software and telecoms. I also founded VoxSurf in 1999, which pioneered the world's first web and open standards-based call completion and messaging platform. This is currently deployed to 35 million users globally. I previously worked for companies such as Accenture and Sprint, specialising in the design, development and installation of service delivery platform architectures to a number of industries. This ranged from phone banking to field force management. I've also authored several mobile web and messaging technology patents."

• What makes your business unique?
"Being the 'son of VoxSurf', HulloMail is in a sweet spot of having large-scale services deployed with mobile operators and now a consumer focus of our own in one of their core service areas. I believe this is a unique and fresh combination in the industry today and places us in a very good position to modernise voice messaging services as a consumer brand. Our strategy to scale the business is to offer mobile operators a co-branded HulloMail. We are extremely focussed and good at what we do so our goal is to work with mobile operators in a fresh way to help deliver a service that people want.

"We are passionate about providing consumer-led innovation as opposed to simply delivering technology for technology-focused solutions, which is what I believe many traditional vendors currently present to mobile operators."

• What has been your biggest achievement so far?
"We licensed our technology to one of the largest telco vendors in our space that continues to use it as the basis of one of their successful platforms today. I cut the code of the prototype for what became our technology platform over a two-week holiday. It still puts a smile on my face when I think of it."

• Who in the tech business inspires you?

"In business James Dyson inspires me. I would imagine that telling VCs you have re-invented the Hoover must have been as hard as telling VCs you have re-invented voicemail. He had to go to Japan to prove a point. I've been luckier - I only had to nip over to Ireland.

"Steve Jobs and his Apple team turned mobile on its head. Despite the negative vibe on their walled garden approach, it is thanks to Apple that companies like HulloMail could prove a mobile concept directly with consumers. Only five years ago it was impossible to deploy an app without getting involved with a device manufacturer and a mobile operator - the process length alone could kill the business."

• What's your biggest challenge?
"Scaling the business, by accelerating consumer growth."

• What's the most important web tool that you use each day? 
"Email – I believe that email continues to be the killer app. However I use email too much and I should call people more often."

• Name your closest competitors

"You have the traditional telco vendors such as an Ericsson orComverse, or Acision selling messaging systems to the mobile operator. You also have the web-based guys such as Google and Google Voice. Neither of them offers mobile operators a web-based cloud model coupled with actual consumer demand for the product, like we do."

• Where do you want the company to be in five years?

"As a recognised telco brand, which is deployed to millions of mobile users."

• Sell to Google, or be bigger than Google?
"If I was a mobile operator focussing on differentiating my services, HulloMail would be a good option to enable a horizontal voice and video messaging strategy across multiple devices. Is there a mobile operator bigger than Google?"



Tuesday 10 August 2010

The International Data Debate

From reading recent news articles, it would appear that the team at Research in Motion (RIM) has had a busy few months working with international governments in a bid to avoid data bans on their BlackBerry devices.
In particular, RIM has agreed to allow both Indian and Saudi Arabian security agencies to monitor data that is being shared by its device. So, is this a trend that we will see expand to other countries over the coming months and what does this mean for you? 
We take the use of such devices for granted, however if this trend was to grow, does it make voice a more compelling medium of communication?   After all, if you are concerned about having your data tracked, perhaps the appeal of simply picking up the phone to make a quick call will become more popular?
Is a world, depicted in George Orwell's famous novel, 1984, becoming more of a reality and in some cases the norm?  The reaction to these latest stories has been moderate; does that mean we are changing our view of privacy in this data-driven world? Maybe it's time to return to the 'private conversation'.
It’s an interesting topic and one that I’m sure people who regularly travel overseas will be monitoring.



Ref:

Tuesday 3 August 2010

The History and Future of Voicemail

The History of Voicemail
Some of you may think that HulloMail invented voicemail however we can not take that crown!  While doing some research into the history of voicemail prior to taking part in the Future of Voicemail series with Mobile Industry Review last month, we came across some interesting facts about voicemail that we thought we would share.
Many people believe the father of voicemail was Gordon Matthews.  Gordon was born in 1936 in Tulsa, Oklahoma and was an American inventor and businessman and started one of the first companies which pioneered the commercialisation of voicemail, VMX.  However the first recorded inventor of this technology was a Stephan Boies of IBM which is documented five years before VMX was founded. Gordon however was granted the first voicemail patent in 1979 for his voicemail invention and sold the first system to 3M. Subsequent sales of the service were to corporations such as Kodak, American Express and Intel.
The History of HulloMail 
HulloMail, was formed in 2008, however our journey began back in 1999, when our CEO, on a flight back from Dublin, designed a web solution to allow his family to send him emails by simply using their phone. We believed consumers would benefit from having access to their email from any telephone.  We built a platform and signed up our first customer almost from day one.  Since these early days we have deployed our technology globally and have a wealth of experience in voice, video and related services. After years of working successfully alongside telco businesses, we realised that the services being demanded by consumers were not being addressed by operators because of the technology and feature focus inherent in these organisations. In 2006, we began to evolve our business model to address these consumer demands. This evolution has brought us to where we are today, a customer-led innovation business.
The Future of Voicemail
This has been a popular topic of late as consumers are demanding better voice messaging experiences that their new powerful devices can provide.  In order to get a broad perspective, Mobile Industry Review suggested a series of interviews with key stakeholders in the voice messaging eco-system to assess the future of this important feature which is somewhat taken for granted.  View the full series here 
Our CEO provides some great insights into the future of voicemail - check out what he has to say! 
Do you agree with these observations and comments, let us know your thoughts.  
Where do you see voicemail and voice messaging in 1, 5 or even 10 years time?















Thursday 22 July 2010

Holiday checklist: Sunscreen? Flip-Flops? Beach towel? HulloMail?


Following a survey from Post Office Travel Money http://bit.ly/b3VpUN which identified that hefty charges for using mobile phones abroad topped the list of "holiday rip-offs", HulloMail is offering holidaymakers a way to avoid such charges when jetting abroad for a break.  By downloading HulloMail’s free smart voicemail app in advance, it enables travellers to keep in contact with friends and family back home, at no cost. 
Before leaving the UK, users of HulloMail provide their contacts with a personal HulloMail UK number, which allows voice messages to be left without the need for calling them directly. Holidaymakers can then listen to messages using the HulloMail mobile app whilst roaming in a free WiFi location and can easily reply using a ‘Hullo’, which is a short voice message.  If friends and family are also HulloMail users they can also send Hullos directly to each other’s devices. 
When jetting off on holiday, you want peace of mind that you can make contact with friends and relatives back home, without racking up a huge phone bill.  HulloMail therefore recommends that before embarking on a break, holidaymakers download the free HulloMail smart voicemail and voice messaging app so messages can be sent and received, without incurring any charges. By accessing messages using a free WiFi spot either via the app or via your email, you can avoid unnecessary costs yet still update everyone back home on what a great time you are having by the pool!
Have a good summer everyone.

Monday 19 July 2010

Next stop Ireland

Top o'the morning to ya!
Late last week testing began of HulloMail in Ireland.  We have managed to recruit a band of testers in the Republic who have kindly agreed to be our 'guinea pigs' in market.  We have given this intrepid group access to the Android and BlackBerry apps with iPhone to follow this week, so they can put the service through it's paces.
You have probably noticed that we have amended the HulloMail website recently to incorporate Ireland so all the details are there for when we launch the service shortly.
The Hullo Family are getting excited about filming their summer special in Dublin which will be available for launch, so watch this space.
You may ask why Ireland and not another country? Here at HulloMail we get regular requests to expand our service into new territories so that other countries can enjoy the benefits of HulloMail, particularly where operators don't support visual voicemail on any phones.
The decision was made to launch in Ireland first because we have strong links with the country and the potential user base is considerable.
When the service goes live in the coming weeks it will be available to all Irish BlackBerry, Android and iPhone users regardless of which operator they're with as all will be supported.  Unfortunately users on a pay as you go tariff will still not be able to use the service unless their operator supports unconditional diverts.
We will let you know how testing goes, but all is looking good so far. 



Thursday 24 June 2010

HulloMail wants you!


If you want to work for HulloMail, are passionate about process and could give Bill Gates a run for his money in the IT stakes, your just the person we're looking for...
HulloMail is recruiting an IT Operational Assistant based at our London offices.  Take a look at the job spec below and if you think it sounds like the ideal position for you send your CV to info@hullomail.com.

JOB & PERSON SPECIFICATION 
Position: Full time IT Operational Assistant, London (City)

THE COMPANY
HulloMail is revolutionising voicemail by providing innovative voicemail applications and instant voice messaging, letting you manage your day-to-day voice communications your way.  HulloMail is currently available for BlackBerry, iPhone and Android in the UK and US.

THE ROLE
Reporting to the Head of Operations, the IT Operational Assistant will join the operational and support team to work on supporting the organisation’s IT systems, deployments and customer services.  This is a very exciting and varied role as part of an energetic start-up. 
The primary responsibilities of the job are:
  • Assisting the Head of Operations in all areas of IT and Support
  • Supporting office IT systems in order of priority      
  • Consumer service customer contact - managing the consumer service contact system and  responding within agreed time scales
  • Provide 24/7/365 consumer and corporate service support via telephone and email
BEHAVIOURS
  • Process orientated
  • Works equally well within a group or on own initiative
  • Customer focus
  • Calm and methodical approach
  • Logical and good at problem solving
  • Quick learner with an intuitive capability
  • Possess and time management skill
  • Have an attention to detail

SKILL REQUIREMENTS
As this is an assistant level position these requirements are desirable but not ‘must-haves’. For this position it’s important to have a good attitude, willingness to learn and enthusiasm.
MySQL, Apache Tomcat, IMAP, Scripting using PHP, Shell script, Linux Clusters
The ideal candidate would possess the above as well as knowledge of mobile devices (iPhone, Android, BlackBerry)

EDUCATION
Computer related degree

Wednesday 23 June 2010

Last night smart voicemail saved my life!!

Ok a touch dramatic I know but seriously what a life saver the service is.
I use the HulloMail service on my iPhone, one of the main benefits for me, personally, was being able to listen to my messages in the order I want and not listen to that annoying announcer telling me to press 3 and then 4 blah blah.
This past weekend I went away for a lovely break, on the journey home however I realised I had left my iPhone at the hotel!  I was too near home to turn back but I couldn't be without my iPhone.  I use this device for work and I was also in the middle of a particularly challenging game of solitaire!
That's where the caped crusader I like to call HulloMail came in.  I quickly realised that the situation was not as dire as I originally thought because everything, missed calls, voicemails and Hullos, gets sent to my email as well as to to my app, because I have set up my email as my message store so I wasn't going to miss any important calls or messages. 
Other plus was no-one in the office realised I had left my phone behind which gave me enough time to arrange to collect it!  Good excuse for another weekend away...





Tuesday 8 June 2010

HulloMail urges football fans not to return home to an own goal!




Travelling to World Cup in South Africa?  HulloMail offers you an alternative way of keeping in touch while away, for FREE!
With UK-based watchdog, Consumer Focus, issuing a warning to football fans travelling to the 2010 World Cup regarding potentially huge bills for mobile phone usage, HulloMail™ (www.hullomail.com) is encouraging individuals to download its free smart voicemail app in advance, in order to access voicemails and send voice messages home, at no cost.
Users of HulloMail can give friends and family their personal HulloMail UK number allowing them to leave voice messages without calling them directly. Travelling fans can then listen to messages using the HulloMail mobile app whilst roaming in a free WiFi location and can quickly and easily reply using a ‘Hullo’, which is a short, instant voice message.
The Consumer Focus watchdog found that rates for making calls from South Africa were as high as £1.70 per minute, whilst the worst culprit was for receiving calls, charging £1.50 per minute.
Andy Munarriz, our founder and CEO,said: “It would be a real own goal to return from the World Cup to find a hefty mobile phone bill waiting for you. It makes sense for fans to access our free HulloMail smart voicemail app. They can give contacts their unique HulloMail number so voice messages can be left for them, saving expensive roaming costs. Messages can then be retrieved simply via the app, online, or by email; it’s up to the fan which they prefer.  Fans can also send a Hullo, short voice message, to their mates watching back home for free, using a free WiFi hotspot.”
Until recently free WiFi has not been the norm in South Africa, however, many shopping centres and leisure complexes in the host cities are providing free WiFi for the duration of the tournament: http://bit.ly/freewifiza

Wednesday 2 June 2010

HulloMail victorious at Red Herring Europe 100 Europe awards



We're pleased to announce we have been named a winner of the prestigious Red Herring 100 Europe Awards; an award that is given to the top 100 private technology companies based in the EMEA region each year.
According to Red Herring, technology industry executives, investors, and observers regard the Red Herring 100 lists as an invaluable instrument to discover and advocate the promising start-up businesses that will lead the next wave of disruption and innovation.
Andy Munarriz, our founder and CEO, said: “To be acknowledged by the Red Herring 100 Awards for our innovation is amazing, particularly when you consider past winners of this accolade include the likes of Google, Yahoo!, Skype and Netscape.  At HulloMail, we are focused on extending our voicemail and voice messaging apps for BlackBerry, Android and iPhone to match our user’s needs, in addition to expanding into new geographical regions. It’s an exciting time for our business and this award is great testament to the work the team has put in to awakening the voicemail and voice messaging space.”
We launched HulloMail a year ago and are passionate about revolutionising the way people use voicemail by developing the most innovative and user-friendly way to send, manage and share day-to-day voice communications. 

Tuesday 25 May 2010

Shortlisted for Innovative App Award


We're proud to announce we have been selected as a finalist for the 2010 Meffys Awards, in the ‘Innovative App’ category.  The awards, which recognise global brands, dynamic start-ups and visionary individuals in the mobile entertainment and media industry, will announce the winners, 21st June 2010.

We launched a consumer service a year ago and are revolutionising the way people use voicemail by developing the most innovative and user-friendly ways to send, manage and share day-to-day voice communications. We are selected as a finalist for the ‘Innovative App’ category, which celebrates technical and creative innovation, UI design and quality of experience, in addition to taking into consideration how the new technology adds value for the consumer.

Commenting on the news that we've been selected as a finalist, Andy Munarriz, our founder and CEO, said: “The Meffys is a highly regarded event in the mobile industry’s calendar, and we’re extremely excited to have been shortlisted for an award. The news comes only a few weeks after also being nominated for the Red Herring 100 Europe Award, so we are very pleased to be receiving such recognition for our innovative voicemail and voice messaging applications.  It’s certainly an exciting year for us at HulloMail as we continue to develop and expand.”

The winners will be announced at a gala evening reception, 21st June 2010, at the Great Connaught Rooms in London.

Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Wednesday 19 May 2010

HulloMail™ launches Hullo technology for Android phones with its latest release


We are pleased to announce the launch of our version 2.2 Android app. The enhanced app builds on the existing voicemail and features the new Hullo instant voice messaging technology, which has already been a big hit with our iPhone and BlackBerry users. 

‘Hullos’ are short voice messages that enable users to reply to a voicemail or to send new instant voice messages without having to make a phone call.  As a HulloMail subscriber, most Android Smartphone users can now enjoy this powerful two-way digital messaging capability free of charge, both locally and overseas*, when they download the enhanced HulloMail app.  

Andy Munarriz, our founder & CEO, said: “Our goal at HulloMail is focused on building out voicemail into two way voice messaging. We are driven by impulses to speak. All modes of communication have their uses but voice is still up there as one of the clearest, if not the clearest form of communication. Hullos streamline voice messaging for the SmartPhone generation making voice as simple as texting or emailing.” 

In addition to incorporating Hullos, the Android app also offers users the option to display missed calls, the opportunity to copy messages directly to registered email addresses and also the ability to access existing messages whilst offline. The service continues to offer unique message syncing capabilities with email compliant accounts, such as Gmail. 

The HulloMail Android app is currently available to both UK and US users and can be downloaded for free from the HulloMail Web site at www.hullomail.com or from the Android marketplace.