One interesting demo I saw at 3GSM I haven’t written on yet, to classify in the category “new mobile business models” are The Klonies, the mobile avatars from Comverse. The Klonies are very cool looking teen-spirited avatars that allow you to create and express yourself. Avatars are very popular online, and I think it’s is likely to recreate that success in the mobile world as consumers love to personalize their phones.
The original and interesting thing about the Klonies that differentiates them from other mobile avatars is that they are not designed to be shown on your mobile — they’re designed to be shown on other people’s mobiles.
Here’s the hook (previously anounced on MocoNews): “A user creates their avatar, either online or via the mobile handset, and when they call someone or send a message their avatar pops up on the other mobile screen. The fact that you can change the avatar in real time means you can make it reflect how you want to be perceived at any point in time. Of course, the other mobile needs to have the characteristics to show the Klonie, but if it doesn’t the image just doesn’t get shown.”
Latest news – fresh from Xen, is that the Klonies are now available on Skype to use as a part of your web identity. Now this is a mixed-media network strategy I like. Because the real service lies in the bridge between the web and the mobile, providing the ability to use the digital identity created practically everywhere. Now here is the extra benefit of Skype who is looking to widen its business into the mobile. Smart!
Xen also informed me that the next phase includes the launch of the mobile service of “Klonies Caller ID”, which allows the receiver of the call to see the caller’s Klonie together with the name and number. So whenever I call a friend or send an SMS, the friend sees my Klonie on his\her mobile screen, regardless the local settings (patent pending).
Why I write about this? My teenage daughters have been playing with this for a while now and they just keep lovin’ it, now that’s a good indication if you ask me 
BTW: There seems to be a huge variety of “Football Mania” Klonies available, for the coming worldwide event of the World Cup.
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