Today I received great news from Peter Rojas (founder/editor of Gizmodo, co-founder/editor of Engadget) and Ryan Block (editor of Engadget). On gdgt.com (pronounced as gee-dee-gee-tee) they published their “gdgt weekly” podcasts and the latest WWDC 2009 keynote live coverage, but today gdgt.com has been re-launched as a social gadget platform! In the following article a quick overview of features as well as background information will be provided.

What is gdgt ?

The title of the article implies that a social gadget platform is a cross-over between gadgets and a social media platform. Peter and Ryan would describe it as:

“gdgt is a new kind of gadget site: a social gadget platform that enables users to connect with the community through their gadgets, and connect with their gadgets through the community. It’s a place for users of all kinds to engage with their devices and hang out with people who are as passionate about their gadgets as they are. At its core, gdgt is also a data-driven web app which ultimately aims to provide an ever-expanding suite of real-time, personalized features and experiences.” [ref02]

The screenshot below shows the gdgt homepage, with large buttons to easy navigate thorugh the website. The two main ingredients can be found in the header: gadgets, and community which result in discussions, questions and device-based communities. Designwise it looks very clean and sleek.

How does gdgt differentiate ?

You might however think that is something that a lot of online technology-based communities do, discuss about the devices and share knowledge. A fair question is: “How is gdgt different from these other technology sites and what does gdgt do ?”

“gdgt isn’t a top-down, editorially-driven news site, it’s a socially oriented web app premised around consumer electronics. We’re all about users and what gadgets they have and want, so rather than just focus on the pre-purchase cycle (i.e. the lust phase), or on user support, our emphasis is on the entire product ownership cycle. We want to create a place where users can get more out of the products they own for as long as they own them — as well as help them discover that next great device to add to their collection.” [ref02]

Honestly I do like the approach which gdgt takes here, and focus on the total product owenership cyle and not just on a specific phase of this cycle. This sounds good on paper, but what technology and features does gdgt have in place to make it work ?

“gdgt includes a suite of features to help users find devices they’d like to purchase (such as our gadget browser, finder, and comparisons, user reviews / review links, and comparison shopping), community-powered support discussions, news aggregated from across the web, and social tools (such as user’s gadget lists and the ability to track friends’ site-related activity).” [ref02]

The screenshot above shows a possible productpage, and with the background information and purpose of the website in mind you should have a closer look to the navigation bar below the device. Again it puts all relevant information and connections in one place.

First thoughts about gdgt

Let me (infact de the whole mobilityminded team) start with congratulating Peter Rojas and Ryan Block with the re-launch of the gdgt website. In a time where social media are becoming increasingly important, and where for instance Twitter shows explosive growth in the userbase, the guys did a great job of combining the social media reasoning with gadgets.

However what I really liked is the focus on the entire ownership cycle, which really makes sense to do. Simply because there is a need to do, and for all it helps end-users throughout the whole product ownership, and not just a specific phase. The result is that people can stay in one place without the need of hopping and searching all over the web to get the needed information.

But not only the concept is great, the people behind gdgt have thought really well about the technology behind these new concepts. gdgt has a great set of features (and to feel it you simply have to visit the website):

• A robust set of social tools intended to create direct relationships between users and their products;
• Massively horizontal product-based community system;
• Highly advanced structured product database;
• New integrated forms of advertising;

I was in a lucky position to have a sneak preview of the website yesterday to get a good feel about the website, it’s functional design and intended purpose. Despite I do believe in the application of a network perspective (especially in new business development), and are really confident about the team, I think you should develop your own opinion.

The best way to find out yourself is to head over to www.gdgt.com and create your own free user account. You certainly need to read the announcement: “So here we are” and “Introducing gdgt” !!