[mcherm]

Here is my take on it.

For me, it's either use something like Google Contacts, or use something like add. They both have several features:

* Stores your contacts

* Synchronize across multiple devices

* Works on all my mobile devices as well as web (I'm giving add the benefit of the doubt here)

* Respects my privacy (Google has a good reputation here)

* Allows me to export my data

Google contacts has several advantages out of the starting gate:

* They are MUCH more likely to still be here in 5 years

* They're free

So if you want to beat Google contacts, you have to offer something they don't. Here are a few examples:

* Better structures for additional data. Like tracking relationships so I can store an address or some notes for a family or married couple instead of typing it in only one of them.

* Better tools for managing large numbers of contacts.

* Automatic updates to addresses, phone, etc. (Fed from somewhere... where would that be?)

* Automatic linking to external sources. (If it recognizes the name, propose a possible address for my friends, culled from other public or private databases.)

Basically, in order to compete with big, reliable, and free you have to offer something special that the big guy doesn't. There is LOTS of space for innovation in contact storage, and I'm willing to pay $3/month for such a service. And ubiquitous access to that (even integrated into my phone OS) and a way to avoid lock-in (so I can move my data if I want) is the minimal level needed to play. Now you need to take it further before you can attract me as a customer.

[tristanthomas]

Agreed completely with most of your points - as I've already mentioned this is just the start and some of the things in the pipeline will easily surpass Google's relatively stagnant option.

However, I don't think Google does respect your privacy [1] [2]. That is a massive issue and is becoming greater over time and is something Add was created to directly counter.

Hopefully we can prove you wrong and still be here in 5 years - I want to build a sustainable and growing business, not a flash in the pan startup looking for a quick sale.

1. http://googleblog.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/update-on-buzz.html 2. http://blog.eset.com/2011/07/07/google-prepares-to-share-you...

[testimoney]

I do agree that there might be some privacy concerns over google, but for contacts I actually don't really care.

Lets say I use your service instead of Google, I will protect my contacts from getting into Google's hands (this is only if I don't use gmail/google voice/google plus, which I do so they get my contacts anyways). Now I have protected my contacts, against google. But I have 173 friends/family that also use Gmail. This means that every single one of them probably has my email/phone/address and uploaded it too into Google Contacts. And if I haven't uploaded my contacts, someone else will do it. There is no way of protecting yourself against this sort of social network.