Tateru at Massively reports that Second Life may be headed for simpler, slimmer and more useful chat application based on a recent trademark application for a service called “SLin”:
IC 038. US 100 101 104. G & S: Electronic and digital transmission of voice, data, images, signals, and messages; e-mail and instant messaging services; communications by computer terminals; electronic exchange of voice, data, and graphics accessible via computer, mobile, wireless, and telecommunication networks; voice over IP (VoIP) services; video and audio conferencing services conducted via the Internet, telephone, and mobile devices
According to Tateru:
Considering that there doesn’t seem to be any other plausible explanation for the SLim trademark, we’re going to go with the safe bet that Linden Lab has a new standalone instant messaging client or a gateway service that can be used by third-parties on the horizon.
Linden executives said they would have a huge announcement coming up before the end of the year that didn’t involve the release of simulator code, inter-grid teleportation, a sale or an IPO.
I’m going to disagree with Tateru however: I’m betting it’s more than IM, it’s a total rebuild of all of the interfaces for accessing the world.
My bet: a new model for the viewer involving a main viewer totally rebuilt, including ‘plug-in’ options much like Firefox so that it can be scaled down or up depending on use models, and the ability to “tear-off” applications such as chat or scripting so they can run as desktop applications (think an AJAX or AIR Second Life), an API for phone-based viewers, a browser-based API, all of it linked in to a new “social networking” platform - think SL Facebook.
Other bets?
Update: Check out Vint’s gorgeous graphic and check her post:
That’s your bet? I really wouldn’t put any money on that.
Didn’t they already announce this, bar the name? I stumbled across it in the Wiki a couple of days ago too - a light chat client - don’t we know this already? Plus Pip Linden did ‘the decent thing’ and mentioned AjaxLife a couple of times recently. Trust me, when a (former) CEO does that it means they’re about to steal the idea and pass it off as their own - ask Apple how that one works.
Interestingly, they’re also (apparently) planning a modal client which is something that was mentioned (by me! by me!) during the UI contest and which was hinted at in at least one of the entries…
Maybe they put this stuff in the Wiki knowing no-one will ever find it?
Well I see it like government - ever notice how they’ll have a big announcement like “Congress announces support for spotted owl” and when you read the fine print they’re really re-announcing stuff they announced before?
So maybe the big announcement will be “Linden Lab Announces that Announcements Have Moved” seeing as you never know where they’re actually going to say stuff anymore what with the blog RSS kicked off log-in, comments closed, that odd forum thing, a press release archive on the Lab site that is pretty thin on content, and Bloomberg picking up the tip first on the new VP.
Let’s ask Robin.
Given recent LL performance, I’d love for your prediction to come true, but very much doubt it.
Some kind of call-out service, I think.
Just thinking, might also be a smart move from Lindens, to take more distance from the connotation that comes with ‘Second Life’:
Have you downloaded SLim already?
What’s that?
Oh, a 3D instant message client & filesharing system. Really slick! Based on the old Second Life, but better!
*Nods”
I love it. And can you imagine if you can use SLim without ever having to log-in to SL, but there’s a mini avatar creation tool built in, both things compel you to understand avatars, socializing, groups, chat, etc. and eventually you’re off buying sims and holding beach parties.