GroupMe Blog
Kobayashi sets a record at the GroupMe Grill
Last weekend at SXSW, at our GroupMe Grill in Austin, TX, world champion eater Takeru Kobayashi beat the Recordsetter world record for most grilled cheese sandwiches eaten in a minute. He ate 13. Here is some close-up video proof from our friends at Serve. Enjoy!
GroupMe Partners Up to Introduce a New Generation to Tech Jobs like QA
Today I’m excited to launch SummerQAmp, an initiative to train a new workforce in high-tech skills, specifically Quality Assurance, and help create tech jobs for American youth. Developed as a commitment to the White House’s Summer Jobs+ initiative, the movement is being led by me, Aneesh Chopra, former CTO of the White House, Kevin Haggard, Vice President of Quality Engineering at Gilt Groupe, Jason Baptiste, CEO of OnSwipe and musician Jon Bon Jovi.
I was inspired to develop this program because of the wonderful experience I had working with the QA team during my time at Gilt Groupe and the success of our QA team here at GroupMe. QA teams are extremely important as they ensure that we, the developers, can deliver high quality software after the codebase becomes extremely complex. Automated testing only covers so much and QA professionals are the final line of defense in those harder-to-test environments.
I also learned that, for many people, QA wasn’t a job you can train for in school. Some QA managers had engineering backgrounds, but many others had no training in the field. I often thought about where one could even get the training and what it would entail. During my career, I’ve watched some entry-level QA managers go on to become really good software engineers. Over time, I realized that this is both a potential career path and a starting point for those who may want to be software engineers.
We practice what we preach here at GroupMe. We have a great QA manager named Tobias McGuigan, but realized he was having trouble testing our application to run on four smartphone platforms by himself. We decided to take on a QA intern to grow the team. I encouraged my brother Mike, who had helped me to test my past startups, to consider the role. Mike eventually joined and quickly came up to speed with our QA processes. He now knows exactly how our applications should perform as well as our developers do. Mike has far exceeded our expectations and is providing tremendous value to the company.
Recently, my co-founder Jared and I had an opportunity to dine with Jon Bon Jovi and members of his team. The topic of job creation came up and I told Jon my story and my belief in QA as a source of jobs. He pushed me to bring this message to others and introduced me to Aneesh Chopra, who was CTO of the White House at the time. Aneesh thought the idea fit perfectly into the White House’s Summer Jobs+ initiative to create more jobs through technology and came on board to help create the program. Thus, SummerQAmp was born.
SummerQAmp is more than a movement to create internships, though. We’re also going to work with Neeru Khosla and the CK-12 Foundation to design an online course that introduces SummerQAmp participants to software development. In addition, we’ll be developing an educational genome that can help direct students down the right path to learn more about different software careers (e.g., IT, engineering, QA, etc.). When we launch this online educational resource later this year, we will be leveraging the power of the Web to reach hundreds of thousands of people who are interested in QA and software development.
I’ve already reached out to many of my colleagues at tech companies and venture capital firms to get them involved. In addition to GroupMe and Gilt Groupe, companies like Onswipe, eBay, the CK-12 Foundation, and Boxee have already pledged to offer QA internships this summer. A number of other tech companies, investors and non-profits, such as JIBE, Knewton, SV Angel and Fiver Children’s Foundation, are helping to develop and guide the growth of the SummerQAmp movement.
Our goal is to create 1,000 internship positions across the software and mobile app industry and we hope that many more tech companies will join us in this initiative to create a new workforce of QA managers right here in the U.S.
To join the roster of companies that are committing to create tech jobs in America this summer, visit www.summerqamp.org to learn more about the SummerQAmp movement and to sign the pledge to create a QA internship at your organization.
- Steve Martocci, Co-founder, GroupMe
GroupMe for iPhone and Android 3.3
Just in time for the madness of SXSW, we’re unleashing a brand new version of GroupMe for iPhone and Android, with some long-awaited updates and awesome new features. It just keeps getting better!
Let’s get right to it. Here’s what’s new.
Introducing Open Groups
Open groups are a new way to start conversations on GroupMe. They’re just like any other group, except you don’t have to add anyone to them—anyone you know can join.
They’re best when you know what you want to talk about, but not who would want to talk about it with you. You can choose to notify just your GroupMe contacts, or send the URL out on Twitter or Facebook and see who joins the conversation.
Whether it’s an impromptu book club, karaoke crew, pick-up soccer group, or fan club, open groups make it easy to talk about the things you like with anyone you know. Try it out now—it’s as simple as flipping the switch.
GroupMe in Your Language
In the seven months since we launched international support for GroupMe, we’ve been thrilled to hear from people using our app to chat with their friends all over on the planet.
As part of our mission to make GroupMe available to everyone, today we’re launching the GroupMe iPhone and Android apps in 14 new languages: Spanish, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese (both Portuguese and Brazilian), Russian, and Chinese (Simplified & Traditional).
If your language still isn’t represented, request it in our Feature Requests forum! We’d love to hear from you.
Etc.
- The new Discover tab makes it easy to find open groups from your friends.
- Live typing notifications (iPhone only)
- Lots of bug fixes and UI improvements
The new GroupMe app is available immediately for iPhone and Android. Download now and let us know what you think!
GroupMe at SXSW
That’s right—Team GroupMe is headed back to Austin next week for another awesome weekend at SXSW Interactive. We’ve got so much to share with everyone so without further ado, here’s a few announcements about what we’re planning this year:
Start your SXSW group now!
If you were at SXSW last year, you already know that GroupMe is the perfect way to stay in touch with your crew on the ground in Austin. It’s that time again—start your group now to help you start planning, and you can keep using it to share notes on the best parties, events, and happenings when you’re hanging out in Austin next week.
Plus, if you start your group on our special SXSW featured page, or from the Featured tab in the app, you’ll receive some exclusive info and updates in your group, and you’ll also be entered to win VIP tickets to our party. More on that later. #)
Major Rager Part Deux
The Major Rager is back. Last year, we had a really fun time at Cedar Street Courtyard, celebrating the end of a great weekend. This year, we’re pumping up the volume for an even bigger party.
The party is co-sponsored by Serve from American Express, and features DJ sets from The Hood Internet, Nancy Whang (of LCD Soundsystem), and COMA (Kompakt Records, Ger) in their U.S. premiere.
It’s going to be amazing. RSVP here.
GroupMe Grill
It’s back, and better than ever! GroupMe users can hang out, eat free grilled cheese, and drink free beer at the GroupMe Grill, right across from the convention center. It’s on Trinity and 3rd, and we’ll be there from 12-5 p.m. on March 10-12. Come by! We can’t wait to see you. Lots of improvements from last year, and maybe a few surprises, are in store…
We’ve got more to announce very soon—stay tuned! In the meantime, start your group and we’ll see you in Austin!
GroupMe for Windows Phone
It’s back and better than ever! Today, we’re thrilled to announce a completely revamped version of our GroupMe app for Windows Phone. We’ve been working closely with our new parent company, Microsoft, on developing this app, and we think the result is the best way to chat with everyone you know from your Windows Phone.
The GroupMe experience you know and love has been translated to the functionality and design of the Mango OS and Metro design framework, so the app will feel native to seasoned Windows Phone users. Start groups, send direct messages, share photos, and check out featured groups just like on our other smartphone apps—it’s all here.
But that’s not all! There are some great new features that take advantage of the new Mango OS. GroupMe has fast app switching enabled, live tile notifications of new messages, and syncs with the Windows Phone address book. Plus, you can pin a specific group to start, giving you fast access to the groups you access most often—and the tile updates with new messages and photos.
We think you’ll love this new app, and can’t wait for you to try it! It’s available for free in the Windows Marketplace, so download it now and let us know what you think!
GroupMe for iPhone and Android 3.2
It’s a holiday miracle! We just released our new iPhone and Android apps to their respective markets. There are lots of little tweaks to make the GroupMe app faster and more fun, and we think you’ll agree it’s the best version yet. Here’s what’s new!
Likes
We’ve heard from a lot of you that while your GroupMe chats are hilarious and fun, they move so quickly that it’s sometimes hard to remember all the best things that have happened. Some of the best messages get lost in the shuffle. That’s why today, we’re introducing Likes.
Now, when someone in one of your groups posts something you like, you can tap the message and then tap “Like”. They’ll get a notification that you liked their message, and it’ll be saved for you in your own personal list of Likes from all your groups. Plus, the entire group will see a running total of the number of people who liked each message inline.
Team GroupMe has been using Likes for the last few weeks, and we can guarantee that they’re really fun—it’s a whole new dimension on top of the GroupMe experience.
A note about conference calling
The best thing about GroupMe is the way people use it. We’ve seen extraordinary use cases that continue to inspire us. From baby deliveries to bible study groups, and the 11% of groups that are used for keeping families close, we’ve see GroupMe help all types of people.
As the service continues to evolve, it’s important that we focus on and enhance the features that people use most. GroupMe messaging has helped bring people closer together across the globe. In fact, push messaging within the app recently exceeded total text messages across our network.
As we continue to focus on our core functionality of group messaging, we believe it’s important to sunset features that are not widely utilized. Starting January 1, GroupMe will disable the conference calling feature by default across the network. We’re working to improve the overall GroupMe experience for our users and it’s important for us to stay focused on what we do best: helping people stay connected with their real life network through group messaging.
There’s good news, though: if you have made a conference call in the last month, you will still be able to make conference calls on your existing group number indefinitely. Additionally, if you start a group and find that you could use the benefits of conference calling, you can email us at support@groupme.com and we’ll set your group up with a calling-enabled number.
Questions? We’re always here to chat with you — just send us an email at support@groupme.com.
That’s all for now! There’s lots more cool stuff coming soon, so stay tuned—we can’t wait to show you all the new things we’ve been working on.
Now, go ahead and get the new GroupMe app for iPhone or Android! From all of us at GroupMe, happy holidays, and a happy new year!
Happy Holidays from GroupMe!
Whether you’re spending this holiday season at home with family or halfway across the world, GroupMe is here to help you stay in touch with the people who really matter to you.
Last month, you may remember that we launched a Thanksgiving featured group designed to help us give back to our community. With your help, we were able to give thousands of dollars to help feed families in need in our hometown of New York City.
We were so happy with the last time that we’re bringing it back for this holiday season. For each new group created on our special Happy Holidays page or in the Featured tab on your GroupMe app between now and New Year’s Day, we’ll donate $1 to the Food Bank For New York City, for up to 2,000 groups. For every $1 donated 5 meals can be provided to New Yorkers in need. With your help, we’ll feed thousands of hungry families in New York this winter.
Try starting a group there now and adding the people you’ll be seeing this holiday season. Whether you’re headed home to visit with family or hosting some friends where you live, you’ll all be able to stay in touch easier than ever before. Coordinate flight arrivals, chat about weather reports, and plan who’s bringing what to your celebrations. It’s easier than ever!
If you’ll be far from the ones you love, a group is the perfect way to stay in touch from all over the world. Share photos and stories from past holidays, or count down to the New Year together from opposite coasts—in real time. You’ll feel like you’re close together, no matter how far apart you are.
But no matter what you talk about, you’ll be helping people in need. Start your group right now on our Happy Holidays page or in the Featured tab on your GroupMe app.
From all of us at GroupMe, happy holidays!
Happy Thanksgiving from GroupMe!
Whether you’re travelling thousands of miles to see your family or just shopping near home, GroupMe is your ideal companion this holiday weekend.
This year, we’re using this holiday as an opportunity to give back to our beloved New York City. For each new group created on our special Thanksgiving page or in the Featured tab on your GroupMe app between now (11/22) and Sunday night (11/28), we’ll donate $1 to the Food Bank For New York City, for up to 2000 groups. For every $1 donated 5 meals can be provided to New Yorkers in need. With your help, we’ll help feed thousands of hungry families in New York this Thanksgiving.
Try starting a group there now and adding everyone who’ll be at your Thanksgiving feast this year. Whether they’re coming from near or far, you’ll be in control of who’s arriving when and who’s bringing what. No more worrying about coming up short on ingredients—if you’re short on cranberries, just send a message to the group and see who can pick some up.
If this weekend is more about shopping for you, there’s no better way to coordinate Black Friday than with a group. Get your shopping crew together and you’ll be able to compare deals from across the mall or across the country. Or, just start a bragging contest by sharing photos of the deals you snagged.
But no matter what you talk about, you’ll be helping people in need. Start your group right now on our Thanksgiving page or in the Featured tab on your GroupMe app.
From all of us at GroupMe, happy Thanksgiving!
GroupMe 3.0 for BlackBerry
It’s finally here!
A few weeks ago, iPhone and Android users were treated to our 3.0 update, bringing Questions, Direct Messages, and a new visual style to the core GroupMe experience. Today, we’re thrilled to bring that same awesome experience to the BlackBerry.
On the new app, users can create new groups and questions with people in their address book, as well as other people they know on GroupMe. With the new API, users should notice a faster feel to the overall app experience. 
The UI has been completely overhauled, from the list of chats to your list of contacts and much more. There’s a new ribbon of buttons at the top of the app that lets you start a group, Question, or Direct Message quickly, just like in our other apps. Picture sharing and downloading is much faster. It now works on BlackBerry OS 7.
Basically, everything is faster, prettier and easier to use. You’re going to love it.
Get GroupMe 3.0 now in App World.
Or, download it directly to your BlackBerry here.
Dearest GroupMe Groupies,
We have very exciting news to share. Today, we have entered into an agreement to be acquired by Skype. Over the last few months, we had been in talks with Skype that started with discussions about potential commercial partnerships. As we got to know the core Skype team better, though, and as our conversations evolved, it quickly became evident that our visions were perfectly aligned. Both companies are focused on changing the way the world communicates, and helping people stay in touch with the people they really know. With a shared vision—an ambitious one—we decided our efforts to own real-time communications and the real life network could be best executed as one company.
This has been a remarkable year for GroupMe, and we believe that this is a big win. And not just a big win for GroupMe and our amazing investors, but also for New York City. As part of the deal, GroupMe will remain in New York, team intact, working on our standalone application. The major difference will be that we will now have access to Skype’s 175 million monthly connected users. 175 million people. That’s a very big deal.
When we first started GroupMe, we set out to achieve two major goals. The first was to solve a very simple problem we had as individuals: how do we stay in touch and coordinate with our friends better in real-time? The second was a bit bigger: how can we change the way people across the globe communicate and get together better in real life? We solved problem #1, and our efforts alongside Skype will accelerate the execution of problem #2 tenfold. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity.
With all of this excitement, we want to take a moment to thank you, our amazing users. Because of your excitement about GroupMe, your inexhaustible support, and your invaluable feedback, we have been able to make GroupMe into what it is today. We simply could not have done this without you. From all of us here at GroupMe— thank you so much.
We’re going to keep working hard on making GroupMe the best way to keep in touch with your real life network. We still have a long way to go with our product and vision, and we can’t wait to show you where we’re going next.
Love,
Team GroupMe
