LiveProfile is a messaging app and mobile social network, owned and operated by LiveProfile Inc, for Android and iOS. It allows users to the send and receive messages, photos, videos, audio, files, as well as other types of content.
History
LiveProfile was launched by Phil Karl and William Key on October 16, 2010. Initially developed as a cross-platform messaging app, LiveProfile quickly gained widespread popularity adding as many as 300,000 new user registrations per day during its peak. Its rapid growth is credited with the evolving mobile landscape at the time.
Funding
LiveProfile raised Series A financing on June 7, 2011 from notable investors including Lightspeed Venture Partners and AngelList’s CEO, Naval Ravikant
Acquisition
In November 2011, BlackBerry Ltd acquired LiveProfile with the intention of integrating it with BlackBerry Messenger, to boost adoption for their cross-platform strategy shift internally known as SMS 2.0. This plan, considered by BlackBerry Co-CEOs to be a top strategic priority, deeply divided the company as opening BBM’s walled garden to LiveProfile users would cause a significant decline in device sales. Ultimately the SMS 2.0 strategy shift was cancelled during a January 2012 leadership shakeup at BlackBerry Ltd in which Co-CEOs Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie resigned from BlackBerry Ltd. LiveProfile was subsequently shut down in December 2013
Relaunch
The original LiveProfile team announced that they are relaunching LiveProfile as a new independent company. As of 2023 the app is available by invite only.
Features
Messaging
Delivery Confirmations: Users receive real-time notifications confirming the delivery and reading of messages, providing immediate feedback on their deliverability.
User Customization
Users can personalize their profiles with a selected display picture and a custom status message, a feature implemented to allow a level of personal expression within the platform.
Multimedia Sharing
LiveProfile enables the sharing of various multimedia content. Users can: Share photos and videos with contacts, including options for sending to multiple recipients simultaneously. Share files directly with others in the platform.
Friend Discovery
Contacts can be added via several methods: Integration with Facebook friends or Twitter contacts. Utilizing email addresses associated with the user's LiveProfile. Adding contacts through mobile phone numbers. Sharing unique LiveProfile PINs. Scanning QR code. Nearby via Bluetooth
Music Features
Users can display currently playing music on a user's device as part of their status message.
Availability
The LiveProfile app for Android and iOS are available by invite only.