I keep thinking how low the barrier to entry is, yet how much great innovation is out there.
The author of SIPTHAT has announced an intention to create a rival to SKYPE and Peerio. Since he’s the leader of XTEN, my favorite softphone company, I suspect he’s in a position to do just that. But, since SipPhone and Vonage both use his software at what point does XTEN go through the stages of developer, supplier, cooperative partner, coopitioner to straight competitor? Or is there a bigger play here brewing?
Regardless of all that, my guess is many others will be in the space rather soon and that first mover no longer matters, except to VC’s. One day they too will learn that sometimes being a follower, ala Microsoft, IBM and AT&T, CISCO all of whom develop patents and technology, then let someone else break the ground before jumping in to a space, then clean up.
With SIPThat’s announcement, its good to see that challengers exist at all levels. Bravo !