OutShouts is a new service that lets you be the online DJ and mix your voice with an MP3 of your choice and post it to the site via the web or cell phone. Launched in December last year, the idea behind the site is to enable users to create and share creative, informative, goofy, or even timely messages with the ability to mix together their favourite track.
For a good example of how the service is used, check out this OutShout from user coreydenis who talks about how excited she is to see her favourite band, Exit Cl?v, play at this year’s SXSW and mixes her favourite tune into the OutShout. Another OutShout has DJ Nexeus introducing a lesser-known and older track from Nelly Furtado and pointing out how different she was earlier in her career.
In terms of functionality, design, and ease of use, the service has to get nothing less than full marks. However, I think they could have been much broader and useful in terms of their idea and execution instead of coming across simply as a fun and goofy service. The idea — that you’re able to create and share audio from a multiple devices and remote locations — has appeal and potential, as is proven by Dave Winer’s TwitterGram service. As opposed to being tied in with Twitter, OutShouts could have easily attempted to build an great overall service for sharing remote audio rather than focus on the mix-your-favoure-song aspect.
Either way, if you’re looking to fulfill that purpose and for future DJs all over, the service is not a bad option. But when it comes to the concept, usefulness and practicality, I’m still waiting for the service which will take the idea of TwitterGram and bring it to the masses — could it be OutShouts 2.0?
