Salesforce Enters Custom Application Market With Force.com

Salesforce will enter the custom software market next week with the launch of Force (site will go live Monday morning), a new platform that will allow developers to create database driven applications and deploy them as services. So if Salesforce doesn’t offer what you are looking for, and no one has built it for you on Salesforce’s AppExchange, you can simply build it yourself using the Apex framework.

At its core Force competes as a development platform with .NET, Java, etc. But there are also a slew of startups that have focused on allowing people to easily create and deploy database driven applications - DabbleDB, Zoho Creator, LongJump, Coghead and WyaWorks, among others. All will take a hit from Force. In fact, this may be sort of game ending for them. Salesforce has its eyes on much bigger fish than those startups.

Any internal process or function that requires custom software may be a candidate for Force. Disney, which has been testing the platform, is using it to manage character (Mickey Mouse, etc.) appearances. EA has built a recruiting application. Bronx School is using Force to manage attendance, performance, etc. Salesforce says they can actually manage the entire school on Force.

Salesforce is also announcing VisualSource, a set of tools that allow developers to build applications for multiple devices (tablets, iphone, etc.) and add HTML, AJAX and Flex to Force applications (making for much nicer looking and more user friendly applications). See the screen shot below for an example user interface.

Pricing is a flat $25/month/user.

Salesforce has always said its about software as a service. Next week, they say they’re deploying the platform as a service with Force. I imagine they’ll find a receptive customer base.

Google Presently Powerpoint Clone Could Be Days Away

Google’s long awaited Powerpoint clone could be days away from launching, according to a report at The Inquirer.

The service is said to be called “Presently” and is based in part on code from Zenter and Tonic Systems, two companies Google acquired earlier this year.

Presentations have long been the missing link in Google’s attempts to provide a full office suite that challenges market leader Microsoft Office. The Powerpoint clone was first rumored in February then confirmed by Google CEO Eric Schmidt in April. More recently Google integrated Powerpoint viewing functionality into Gmail.

If a launch of Presently is coming shortly, the timing is perfect for Google, given that they have this week announced a deal with global consulting firm Capgemini to distribute their office package.

Will Europe’s Free Mobile Service Blyk Finally Launch?

From TechCrunchUK: Europe’s Blyk, the much anticipated and much delayed advertising supported mobile service, may be gearing up for launch very soon. They’ve scheduled a press conference for September 24. The service has also recently said they are “on track for launch.”

The service will be free for users and targeted to 16-24 year olds. Presumably that age group will be more receptive to receiving an endless stream of advertising in exchange for free mobile minutes and texting.

Mosh Mobile is theoretically a U.S. equivalent to the service, but none of the carriers I’ve spoken to have ever heard of them, and they don’t appear to be funded. My guess is it’s more of a pipe dream than anything.

Look for iPhone UK news next week as well

Wikia’s ArmchairGM: Wiki Meets Social Network

Wikia, a for profit wiki site created by Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, acquired ArmchairGM for $2 million last year and got into the sports fan business.

The site has been slowly rolling out new features. Wikia CEO Gil Penchina described it to me as “Wiki 2.0″ - because it combines the best features of open source wiki software with social networking features like adding friends, building a profile, meeting new people, create groups, etc. ArmchairGM also allows users to add “foes” in addition to friends, since a lot of sports rivalries are generated on the site.

The site also has a unique user generated virtual gift product. Unlike other social networks, users create the gifts themselves by uploading images. Other users can then use those gifts, too, and some become quite popular.

Wikis and social networks don’t exactly mix well. Parts of the network, like user profiles, need to be locked down so that only the owner can edit them. Other parts of the site remain wide open and allow anyone to edit.

And its growing, fairly rapidly. ArmchairGM alone is now at 1 million monthly page views. Wikia has also rolled out the ArmchairGM software for ten other verticals not included in that page view count - see, for example, Foodie, Gaming, and Politics. The company recently brought in the NFL as a site-wide sponsor.

Parent company Wikia continues to grow rapidly, says Penchina. They had 250 million page views in August.

NBC Runs From iTunes Into The Arms Of Amazon

Last week a lot of drama developed between Apple and NBC over who broke up with who. All we really know is that the pair allegedly split over conflicts around DRM and pricing control. It was quite a hit for Apple, with NBC making up 40% or iTune’s digital video downloads.

Today NBC found a friend in Amazon, announcing a deal to sell the network’s digital TV content. Amazon already sells NBC Universal’s movies. NBC shows available on Amazon Unbox will include The Office, Heroes, and 30 Rock. They will also be selling content from their subsidiaries: USA Network, SCI FI Channel, Bravo, Telemundo, mun2, NBC Sports, and NBC News.

Beginning on September 10, Amazon Unbox customers will download for free — in advance of their network premieres — the pilot episodes of NBC’s new shows Bionic Woman, Chuck, Journeyman and Life. New episodes will be available for purchase on Amazon Unbox the day after they air on TV. Complete seasons may be purchased as soon as the season concludes.

The deal is yet another twist in NBC’s ongoing plans to monetize their content online. NBC has already announced plans to release the same content on their new site Hulu, with no word on how the new deal will affect the offering. (Bit Torrent, however, is still up and running)