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Comment by d0m | Hacker News Reader

Inspired by twitter and snapchat:

You call a friend over the phone but, here's the twist, it will hang up automatically after 15 secs. Better make it quick.

Value proposition: - Nobody has time for calls that last more than 15 secs nowadays - You're more likely to pickup the line if you know it's 15 secs instead of letting go on the voicemail. - If it's someone you don't like, it will only be 15 secs

Pricing Model: - Waiting to receive a $3B offer, turning it out, accepting a $12B one for Christmas.

Audience: - Everyone who used a phone and is ready for the phone experience 2.0.

Yes, I'm kidding!

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I have a relevant anecdote.

Back when I visited my home country they had this very bizarre mobile plan where the first 10 seconds of all cell phone calls were free. So what you would see is people hanging up after 10 seconds, recalling the person they were speaking to, continuing the conversation , and then doing it all over again. It was hilarious. It got even crazier when some companies reduced the time limit to 5 seconds.

Even though you're kidding...

1. 30 seconds would give you enough time for a bit of back and forth, while still being refreshingly brief.

1.1 Or, make it just under a minute, as you'd otherwise be throwing away the fraction of the minute not used.

2. Block the caller from calling again for x minutes, set by the receiver.

I like 30 seconds. Call the service SmallTalk. If you get sufficiently popular, you could advertise on Who Wants to be a Millionaire. "You've chosen to use your 'phone a friend' lifeline. Remember, you only have 30 seconds. We'll have the guys from SmallTalk connect you to your mother."

Could also partner with providers on data/sms/'SmallTalk' plans.

I'd love to be able to get a hold of call connection data and see what the average cost-per-minute of a call is. I'm sure there's a lot of calls where it runs 1 min 10 sec. or so, and that 50 seconds is wasted but still charged (as it's per-minute).

It would be interesting to try to get the partner provider to value a 'SmallTalk' call around what the actual profit for a call is (vs. published rates), for a little more transparency (and cost control) to the pay as you go market it would make sense in.

You managed to make that awful idea actually sound pretty good. Well done!

I actually would like this if the caller put in an 'offer' of the amount of time (not mandatory 15s, or hangup...just a guestimate). But, I probably only use/like this if it was available without a separate app.

Speed video conferencing

One minute video conferences will reduce time waste and let you focus on your work!

Timer + any existing service = new niche of services!

I imagine this is all in fun but there's quite a bit of truth in it. Something old + something new is a powerful formula.

Especially when you borrow part of the solution from someone else and color it blue.

I would honestly use this. Knowing there's a time limit I'd definitely pick it up/dial. This coming from a person that avoids phone calls like the plague. I hate anything that lasts more than 15 seconds to be honest.

> I hate anything that lasts more than 15 seconds to be honest.

Wish my girlfriend took the same view

Wish I had a girlfriend.

So it turns out that SmallTalk is a dating service.

Man I hate dating services. All it does is get you laid and that's it, for the most part. It's such a confidence crusher after going on an amazing date and they just don't text you back, and then you're left in this abyss wondering whats wrong with you.

It also sets the women at a stupid advantage. I'm a guy, making >100k at 20 years old, with loads of interests, friends, great job, great life. I have to pander to women that have none of that.

I recently went on a date with a girl whos 25, all she does is game, no job, no school, nothing in her head, literally the most boring person on the planet, and just because she's really attractive and gets lots of messages on dating sites it gives her the illusion that she's superior.

It's less of a date and more of an interview or a "prove yourself" thing.

It promotes the attractive, and leaves the unattractive absolutely hopeless because if you have the best of the best at your finger tips, why the fuck would you settle for less?

I'll stick to real life where genuine connections can still be made.

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