Black Voices releases Toolbar, Desktop App, and Email Service

January 9, 2009

AOL Black Voices, the leading online destination for African-Americans, is far from satisfied with their steadily increasing year-over-year growth. Today we noticed Black Voices released a toolbar, desktop application, and email service (yes another email service), that allows users to read and access Black Voices’ content no matter where they are or what they’re doing on the computer .

The Firefox, IE, and Flock supported toolbar has a scrolling listing of Black Voices’ headlines, quick buttons to celebrity pictures, Black Voices news, and message boards. Users can also customize their toolbar with additional buttons from major websites including YouTube, Myspace, Amazon, and Facebook. The toolbar by default is powered by AOL of course, but other search options include the ability to search Black Voices articles, video, message board. With very little buzz the toolbar is less controversial and under the radar in comparison to 40A Inc’s black targeted web browser Blackbird.

Black Voices desktop application. How can I put this? If you’d like to save time and give your fingers a break from typing “www.blackvoices.com” and simply click a button from your desktop that launches a browser that takes you to the same place then this might be for you. Otherwise save your disk space for an app that actually helps with GTD.

Black Voices email service is…well…you guessed it. Exactly like normal AOL email with the addition of the Black Voices logo and default content upon login. Not that we expected anything else from them, it makes logical sense however the question still remains as we’ve said before: Why sign-up or migrate to this email from the one you currently use? For Black Voices chances at email adoption will probably be more succesful simply because the brand is still attached to AOL (known for their email and longevity in the biz) despite efforts to appear stand-alone. If email forwarding to or from an @blackvoices.com email account is simple then they could actually have a substantial user base. While Black Voices email lacks sex appeal as well it’s birth from a company with AOL behind them is intriguing, especially since it’s launch is just weeks after RushmoreDrive’s. Turf War?

Category: Strategy, web 2.0 | Tags: 40A, aol blackvoices, blackbird, browser plug-ins, desktop applications, new email service, RushmoreDrive, RushmoreDrive email

Mrmecca

So silly .... Are we in 1999 again?

Toolbars and email were done by black sites like 10 years ago and it didn't catch on

Ultimately people want email that they can use which doesn't identify their race, sex, sexual preference, or anything of the sort. Unless it's used for play play... I'm betting you'll never see an @blackvoices email extension on a resume, credit application, or any other form of serious correspondence

It's so weird that everything is repeating itself for black sites...history shows that blacks want base services they can trust like any other netizen.. Not copycat functionality from a publisher that has been sold moved downgraded and upgraded again. The aol base may help but not much

Most of bv's growth isn't from blacks... They've created doors on major websites like CNN and E! to read about cross over names like will smith and beyonce

Erica@BlackTwitterati.com

Here's what I think the problem is: Most African-Americans on the internet aren't looking for a new black email service or toolbar- or search engine, for that matter. (This may be what the previous poster was saying, as well.) They just want services that suit their needs and are easy to use, like anyone else. That's the bottom line. On the other hand, if these services are aimed at helping black people connect with each other, then I don't think they're being specific enough. It would be interesting to see what kind of research went into these ventures in the early stages.

Kamau

I think there is a serious problem when a black-owned company releases a black browser and catches serious flack but when a white-owned company release products for black people it's all good. I don't see post on IT news/blogging site calling AOL racist. What's up with that? There is something wrong here?

kim_at_theloop21

I think sometimes the web is still trying to define what niche applies to.

We're a niche black news publication, and we've gotten nothing but praise since we launched in August.

But then Blackbird, which is trying to be a niche service, gets bashed. Perhaps it's the difference between content and services.

Mega

@Markus: Markus, a well written and objective overview of the BV tool bar. It is important to note that the Tribune owned BlackVoices.com was also a service provider of email along with BlackPlanet at that time around 2000 to 2005. These utilities are still valuable to offer as just because we are all online already, doesn't mean everyone else in the world is also. There is still an opportunity to acquire and lock in new audiences and for those who ignore that market opportunity, I would suggest that their future is short-lived.

Finally, your speculation about turf wars between RushmoreDrive.com and BlackVoices.com is warranted; however, I would go on record to suggest this is simply a damn good time to be a Black Netizen, as there are now an abundance of offerings to choose from and choice is always a good thing.

Markus Robinson

Let's be honest, how large is that audience and most importantly is it worth the opportunity cost? I think Black Voices, and Rushmore Drive would be better served creating something innovative, or increasing their content offerings through acquisition.