• connect
    your world.

  • Features

    customizable

    expandable

    intuitive

    device-independent

    accessible – in VR

    data protected

    free of charge

    Features
    customizable
    expandable
    intuitive
    device-independent
    accessible – in VR
    Android + HTC Vive
    data protected
    free of charge

    connect is the world’s first “Digital Life Network”. With connect, you will be able to link all your digital content in a modular manner and then use it in your own customized virtual home (optional in VR). With its release in Spring 2019, connect will incorporate games, messenger features, assimilation of other messenger services, e-mail, SMS, video chat, and facilitate music and video streaming, internet surfing, and the care of virtual pets.

    In the long term, more digital content and features will be added. Our goal is that you will only need one system to use all your digital content in an intuitive and appealing manner. Gone are the days where you had to use different, restrictive networks to reach different circles of friends, or where you had to download a new app for every new feature. And all of this with maximum levels of data protection and end-to-end encryption.

    Tastes are different. In order to feel comfortable in your virtual home you can tailor everything to your individual taste. Not only can you change the appearance and numerous other configuration options, but you can also decide which individual modules or features you will use at all. Imagine connect as building blocks with which you can create your own perfect little world. You will be able to experience more and more completely different locations – from the Oval Office (a limited edition Kickstarter reward) to an archaeological camp, a children´s room with fantastic toys, romantic places or even a spaceship.

    As time goes on, we will expand our configuration options, but don't worry we don't want to force anything on you. No advertising and no particular graphic designs or features for which you have no use. Our business model (Link) is not dependent on the collection of data. For this reason we don't have to impose any settings on you whereby you disclose more personal information than you want.

    Are you fed up with having to install a new app for each separate function? Or that your favorite software is not compatible with every hardware? Have you ever been annoyed that your different circles of friends are available on various different networks?

    To get rid of these unnecessary irritants it is our goal, with combined strength, to build a network which unifies all the different digital contents and features, and where the utilization and operation is as easy as possible. For this purpose we have created a platform, where our Partners (Link) – and you too! – can upload content. Our partners will be uploading, among other things, 3D models of new objects or furniture, media content such as newspapers, magazines, books, TV or radio programs, or link connect with existing messenger services. You can upload art work, photos as decoration, animated Gifs or videos, sounds, or 360° photos for an alternative view from the loft, and determine who has access to it.

    Regardless how useful or attractive an app is, if you continuously need to search for the individual functions it’s just not fun. connect has, therefore, been so intuitively structured that even those who avoid apps and modern technology will love their new virtual home. Using connect is so simple because you know it from real life. With connect you use all the features just as you are used to in your everyday life. You want to take a photo? Just touch the camera. You would like to flick through the TV channels? Simply swipe right or left. We won’t hassle you with loads of buttons, and promise that no matter what you do, what you touch, you can’t do anything wrong.

    Get to know connect in a fun way, dare to experiment. Most of it functions exactly as you would expect – and if not we will reward your feedback with X.

    It is our goal to give you as much freedom as possible. For this reason, you can access your virtual home from almost every device. Whether from your smartphone or tablet (currently only on Android), PC, MAC or VR-Headset (HTC Vive, Oculus or VR glasses for smartphones) – you decide how you want to use connect. You will find a list of the devices (Link) already tested.

    We estimate that by the end of 2017 we can support the use of most other mobile operating systems (iOS, Windows Phone) gaming consoles (Playstation and Xbox), Samsung TV and long term a web-version which is directly available from the browser. If you would like to help us with the challenge becoming the world's most device-independent social network, then submit an application.

    You should be able to experience your virtual home also in virtual reality (VR). For this reason the support of the development of VR-headsets is a focal point for us. A modern smart phone is all you need for an introduction, you can insert this in a reasonably priced VR headset. If you are as thrilled as we are by this first impression then it is worth investing in a better quality VR headset for example the HTC Vive, the Oculus, or the PlayStation VR headset.

    We are convinced that this technology is the next big technical revolution since the internet. VR headsets will soon be cheaper, lighter, cordless, and will have a spectacular picture resolution, so that you can immerse yourself anytime and anywhere into a fully lifelike world, which – in contrast to the real world – offers infinite possibilities. When you enter this world via connect it will meet all your expectations and guarantee data security and anonymity.

    Would you like to know why we developed connect? Because we wanted to pursue a very ambitious goal. We want to make access to all digital content and activity secure, anonymous and encrypted. Admittedly, the rest is also pretty cool, but this is our primary goal.

    This is why, with us, almost everything will be end-to-end encrypted (for more info Link) – from chatting on the phone or video conversations, to your private profile information. You choose yourself whether to communicate with your friends via our server or directly, person to person. We keep your encrypted messages only until they have been passed on to the receiver. Naturally, we also don't have a real name obligation or any other similar subterfuge. We can guarantee that it will remain like this in the future. (Link)

    connect is secure and without annoying advertisements. We are, after all, developing connect exactly how we would like to use it ourselves. In order to realize our ambitious goals and dreams, however, we need an income. What we definitely don't want is that you have to pay for the many special features from connect, which is why all our important features will be permanently free of charge (Link).

    Our primary source of revenue will be an In-App-Store where you can purchase optional extras like for example games, virtual pets or fun gimmicks like being able to change the weather. These extras can then be shared or swapped with other users as you please. They will, however, never be a requirement for the use of connect. In addition there will be at least 12 other opportunities (Link) to acquire limited-edition content without having to pay for it.

  • Functions

    Social Network

    Multi-Messenger

    Multi-Messenger

    Multi-Messenger

    Multi-Media

    Multi-Upload

    Games

    Virtual Pets

    Virtual Pets

    Virtual Pets

    Interactive Home

    Interactive Home

    Functions
    Social Network
    Multi-Messenger
    Multi-Media
    Multi-Upload
    Games
    Virtual Pets
    Interactive Home

    connect is your own personal virtual world which, like a construction kit, can be expanded and adjusted. More and more of your everyday digital functions and content can be used simply and, if you choose, in virtual reality, in one single app with data security, encryption, and anonymity.

    Some of these features and content, like the comprehensive social network features, popular games, limited edition decorative objects, entertainment features, and virtual pets, come directly from connect. Others will be supplied to an upload-platform (Link) by our partners. This is content from other suppliers (e.g. social networks and message services, video, audio, print and internet media), as well as your own uploads (e.g. art work, music, typeface, animated Gifs or 360°photos) for an alternative view from your virtual loft.

    connect has at its disposal its own end-to-end encrypted messenger service. From the time of release in autumn 2017, you will be able to write messages, take photos, videos and voice recordings as well as make free telephone or video calls via the internet. At the same time you can keep control over the subject matter you send: You can, at any time, choose to delete or decide for how long your messages, photos, videos and voice recordings are accessible to the receiver (Link). These temporary contents will then be destroyed when your set timeframe has elapsed – screen shots will also be prevented.Alternatively, you can just disallow the transfer of photos, videos or voice recordings. In this case the receiver of the content can view it for an unlimited period of time in connect but our encryption prevents it being passed on to a stranger. Because of the end-to-end encryption neither we nor a third person has access. In addition to all this, it is also possible to permit access to messages from certain categories – for example private – only by entering a Pin Code or, with one single push of a button, to hide all confidential content. This can even prevent unwanted looks over your shoulder seeing your private conversations.

    Don’t worry, even if connect isn't very well known among your circle of friends, it is still possible to communicate with them using connect. For this, we developed a own system which imports your existing contacts and messages from other social networks, e-mail addresses and messenger services. As soon as you enter connect you will find all your telephone contacts are already in the virtual personal organizer on the desk and you can send an SMS straight away with the virtual letter. In connect you can read and reply to SMS you receive, almost all other linked networks will work just like this.

    Initially we will only be able to incorporate the biggest providers (incl. Facebook) but we are working hard so that in the future you will need only one app to communicate securely and privately with all your contacts (as far as technically and legally feasible). If you share our vision (very likely), and have your own messenger service (unlikely) then you can find out here (Link) how to use our integration interface.

    Don’t worry, even if connect isn't very well known among your circle of friends, it is still possible to communicate with them using connect. For this, we developed a own system which imports your existing contacts and messages from other social networks, e-mail addresses and messenger services. As soon as you enter connect you will find all your telephone contacts are already in the virtual personal organizer on the desk and you can send an SMS straight away with the virtual letter. In connect you can read and reply to SMS you receive, almost all other linked networks will work just like this.

    Initially we will only be able to incorporate the biggest providers (incl. Facebook) but we are working hard so that in the future you will need only one app to communicate securely and privately with all your contacts (as far as technically and legally feasible). If you share our vision (very likely), and have your own messenger service (unlikely) then you can find out here (Link) how to use our integration interface.

    Don’t worry, even if connect isn't very well known among your circle of friends, it is still possible to communicate with them using connect. For this, we developed a own system which imports your existing contacts and messages from other social networks, e-mail addresses and messenger services. As soon as you enter connect you will find all your telephone contacts are already in the virtual personal organizer on the desk and you can send an SMS straight away with the virtual letter. In connect you can read and reply to SMS you receive, almost all other linked networks will work just like this.

    Initially we will only be able to incorporate the biggest providers (incl. Facebook) but we are working hard so that in the future you will need only one app to communicate securely and privately with all your contacts (as far as technically and legally feasible). If you share our vision (very likely), and have your own messenger service (unlikely) then you can find out here (Link) how to use our integration interface.

    Have you ever wished you could enjoy all analog media in one single app on your smartphone, tablet, PC, Mac, game console or in VR? You want to read the newspaper on your tablet not just to save paper. A simple swipe turns the page, intuitive navigation allows you to make notes, forwards highlighted texts to a messenger service contact, or searches the newspaper for keywords. Or with your Virtual TV or sound system you can tune into all the TV and radio stations worldwide.

    Our dream is becoming a reality, because more and more media sources are using our platform (Link) to link their analog content free of charge with connect. Not only newspapers and TV and radio stations, but all media sources that can be presented via audio, video, internet-link, or PDF-file: magazines, books, blogs, internet-forums, homepage and streaming platforms like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime or Spotify. Welcome to the multi-media world of connect!

    It is not only our partners who can upload to our platform (Link) but you and your friends too! In this way you can determine yourself what your virtual home will look like. Are you an artist who wants to share their pictures or photography with the whole world? Would you like another user to hang your work on their virtual wall? Or should your work be enjoyed exclusively by yourself and your friends? You alone can decide who has access.

    As long as there is a demand we will continuously expand our multi-upload but you can already change the view from the loft with 360 photos, find new sounds for ringtones or chat messages, use other materials to customize your virtual loft, or choose between a range of typefaces. Your chat partner should be able to read your messages in your handwriting? No problem! Create your own typeface (Link) upload it and pick it as your typeface (Link). It really is that easy.

    In addition to the games offered by our partners, you can also purchase exclusive connect games in our In-App-Shop. Initially we will concentrate on the development of games that everyone knows, that are intuitive and easy to play, and where two or more players compete against each other like for example “connect 4“, pool, or chess.

    Our goal is to, with simple games, improve the social experiences of our users, therefore only multi-player games will be available from connect at the beginning. You can then look forward to leader boards, statistics, and performance rewards (Link) and competitions (Link). Moreover, only one player needs to have purchased the game in order for both to play. It is our goal to provide you with alternative entertainment opportunities for every taste and age group rather than parting you from your money with classic addictive and time killing games.

    If you get bored while you are chatting, playing, watching TV, listening to the radio or surfing the net you could always care for a small household pet. For 1 $ (or equivalent local currency) you can buy an egg in our In-App-Shop, or perhaps receive it from a friend, and watch it develop and emerge as a cute pet. In most cases this will be a chick or duckling but with a bit of luck it could be a rare animal.

    Your new virtual companion needs a lot of love and attention, but also discipline to develop well. If you are too harsh, it will become anxious, but if you spoil it, it will become cheeky and rowdy. You shouldn't feed it too much so it doesn't get fat, but on the other hand rewarding with food is the best way to teach it tricks and reward good behaviour.

    If you get bored while you are chatting, playing, watching TV, listening to the radio or surfing the net you could always care for a small household pet. For 1 $ (or equivalent local currency) you can buy an egg in our In-App-Shop, or perhaps receive it from a friend, and watch it develop and emerge as a cute pet. In most cases this will be a chick or duckling but with a bit of luck it could be a rare animal.

    Your new virtual companion needs a lot of love and attention, but also discipline to develop well. If you are too harsh, it will become anxious, but if you spoil it, it will become cheeky and rowdy. You shouldn't feed it too much so it doesn't get fat, but on the other hand rewarding with food is the best way to teach it tricks and reward good behaviour.

    If you get bored while you are chatting, playing, watching TV, listening to the radio or surfing the net you could always care for a small household pet. For 1 $ (or equivalent local currency) you can buy an egg in our In-App-Shop, or perhaps receive it from a friend, and watch it develop and emerge as a cute pet. In most cases this will be a chick or duckling but with a bit of luck it could be a rare animal.

    Your new virtual companion needs a lot of love and attention, but also discipline to develop well. If you are too harsh, it will become anxious, but if you spoil it, it will become cheeky and rowdy. You shouldn't feed it too much so it doesn't get fat, but on the other hand rewarding with food is the best way to teach it tricks and reward good behaviour.

    Just how fantastic, modern, playful or serious connect looks depends entirely on your personal taste. Here you can find your true self and express your own style. You can show your friends your home. You will feel comfortable there, and will want to develop it further or just adapt and adjust it if you are in the mood for something new. We are working with our partners e.g. furniture manufacturers or producers of various different appliances and items, (Link with connection to product placement) so that you will have even more possibilities.

    Everything in your virtual home will be interactive. You can, for example, open furniture, use all the items like TV, sound system and laptop, turn on and off lights, or change the pictures on the wall. Through our platform, you can upload new pictures, posters and photos to hang on the walls of your virtual home. 360° photos even give you many different views from your virtual world. When you upload content yourself you decide with whom you wish to share it.

    Just how fantastic, modern, playful or serious connect looks depends entirely on your personal taste. Here you can find your true self and express your own style. You can show your friends your home. You will feel comfortable there, and will want to develop it further or just adapt and adjust it if you are in the mood for something new. We are working with our partners e.g. furniture manufacturers or producers of various different appliances and items, (Link with connection to product placement) so that you will have even more possibilities.

    Everything in your virtual home will be interactive. You can, for example, open furniture, use all the items like TV, sound system and laptop, turn on and off lights, or change the pictures on the wall. Through our platform, you can upload new pictures, posters and photos to hang on the walls of your virtual home. 360° photos even give you many different views from your virtual world. When you upload content yourself you decide with whom you wish to share it.

  • The Company

    The idea for connect began mid-2014. The unrelenting developments of the previous years and the takeover of WhatsApp by Facebook implied to Michael M. Schoeggl, the founder of e.com, that messenger services and social networks were turning more and more into personal data collectors. A look back at history shows that this type of development is not entirely harmless – this transparency makes people easy to manipulate and vulnerable. This results in a dilemma for many: if you are not prepared to share your personal information you cannot use the largest messenger services or benefit from the advantages of social networks. The solution to the problem was easy to find: a multi-messenger service linked to other social networks which allows the user to reach all their friends from the very beginning and which will be, with time, so successful that it will unite a wide band of users in an independent, encrypted messenger service – one word: „connect“.

    Spurred on by the vision of a social network including a multi-messenger feature with data protection Michael M. Schoeggl founded the start up company ”e.com” in May 2015. With increasing numbers of new employees and outsourcing contractors it became possible to include more innovative ideas and special features, including the numerous ways to individualize and personalize the innovative, easy to operate new user interface – through the virtual reality representation. It also includes a comprehensive platform for linking connect with external content from other media sources, business partners or even the users themselves.

    Philosophy

    We believe that social networks can work without selling personal data or pushy advertising. With connect, we will prove that we can respect our users’ privacy and will stay true to our philosophy with every single decision.

    In our opinion, progress and traditional moral values are not mutually exclusive. It is possible to run a successful business which on the one hand has a modern corporate structure, but on the other hand takes social responsibility. For us, our users are our top priority – always and without exception. It is after all you, dear reader, who decides whether our vision of a data secure social network in virtual reality can succeed or not. For this reason we don’t just enjoy working together with our users and look forward to your feedback, but will also entrust you with as much decision making powers as possible so that you can utilize connect just as you personally need it. In other words: We are developing our app to be your ideal app too. We only have one corporate policy: the customer is our focus. And we mean that complete honestly.

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