Blogging is one of the most popular methods of communication for the tech-savvy. The form that most of us are familiar with is text blogging. However, technological advances have given rise to another off-shoot of text blogging, voice blogging.
Voice blogging is posting blogs using voice. They are stored on the web also in voice form.
The visitor to a voice blog needs to have a voice-enabled feature on his personal computer and basic audio equipment like speakers. In voice blogging, an audio file is created in the usual fashion by recording voice from a microphone attached to a computer. The voice blog is then uploaded on the blogger's site.
"A blog is an extempore version of one's thoughts, while pod casts are in the nature of presentations. We're not sure about the feasibility of voice blogging. But the idea has potential. It is a cool idea and whether or not it will be commercially viable and how much money can be made out of it remains to be seen," said Shrirang Bapat, vice-president, product engineering, Amdocs Ltd.
"Blogging through voice has picked up quite well, but it uses using Voice Xml (extensible markup language).
"This enables searching a blog a lot easier. One dials a specific number and a voice prompt demands a term pertaining to your blog. So, the next time someone searches under that term, the voice blog can also appear in the list. Since it is an open language, there is no royalty involved," said Atul Kahate, IT author and head, technology practice, Oracle Financial Services Software Ltd.
The social networking site, Ibibo, launched voice blogging on their website a ortnight ago. "Voice blogging will allow bloggers to publish their voices on their personal profile and blog pages and get recognition. The response, so far, has been great. Ibibo has an indigenous voice platform where a user can call and record a blog post and it automatically gets updated," said Ashish Kashyap, CEO, Ibibo.com.
Bloggers, however, are worried about the cost of creating voice blogs. "Using a traditional voice recorder and then uploading that audio file costs nothing. But, when calling up a number is involved which is, for instance, a Delhi number, then a blogger from Kerala or Malaysia may not want to spend much," said Neena Reuben, a blogger.
Experts are worried about the screening of content. "The content is huge, so I don't think anyone will take the trouble of checking it for decency. Besides, I don't think voice blogging as a concept will last long. With more and more mobiles having video capabilities, 'video blogs' are the thing for tomorrow.
"You can have your own website and embed videos on them. And, videos naturally have more impact than voice or even text," said Harshad Oak, founder, Rightrix Solutions.