Qeep
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Social networking service |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Founder | Blue Lion mobile GmbH |
| Headquarters | Germany |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Mobile social networking app |
| Website | www |
qeep is a mobile social networking app available without licensing fees, initially launched in beta form in 2006. Originally created for Java-enabled phones, qeep extended its reach to Android devices in 2011 and introduced an iOS version by the autumn of 2015. Users can download the app for free from its official website, Google Play Store, and Apple App Store. It supports more than 1,000 phone models compatible with Java MIDP 2.0, Android 2.3, or iOS 8 and later versions. The application is offered in seven languages: English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Russian, and Turkish.
History
Blue Lion mobile GmbH was established in 2006 to develop and promote qeep. In June 2007, the company secured a seven-figure Series A investment from Bertelsmann Digital Media Investments. This funding was intended to accelerate product enhancement, broaden device compatibility, and expand into additional European markets. With Bertelsmann’s backing, qeep positioned itself as a rival to prominent social networks such as MySpace.
By January 2014, qeep had amassed 25 million users, increasing to 26 million by the following month with roughly 30,000 new registrations daily. In May 2012, qeep received third place in Nokia’s Create for Millions developer competition within the Emotional Closeness category.
Features
Qeep operates as an all-in-one software package providing interactive functionalities.
QMS
The qeep Messaging Service (QMS) functions as an internal short message service exclusive to the qeep network. Messages are compressed via a proxy server and transmitted over GPRS or UMTS within the app, drastically lowering messaging expenses by limiting costs to data transmission rates alone. Apart from invitations sent to prospective users, QMS messages cannot be forwarded outside or accessed beyond the qeep environment.
Photoblogging
Users with camera-equipped mobile phones can capture and upload photos to qeep’s database, where images are organized into user-specific photoblogs connected to individual profiles. This system provides virtually unlimited storage capacity while restricting photo viewing exclusively to the qeep platform. It offers a cost-efficient alternative to conventional picture messaging and operates similarly to online photo sharing services.
Games
As of December 2009, qeep’s application featured multiple turn-based live games that could be played individually or against other users in real time. The first game introduced was "Battleships," inspired by the classic board game, followed by "Quadrix" (a variation of Connect Four), a unique adaptation of Tic-tac-toe, "Crazy 8's" (a strategic card game), and "FlipChip" (similar to Reversi).
In May 2012, qeep broadened its Android gaming lineup by adding three new titles—Gangs of Crime City and Jewels Island—created by Softgames, a Berlin-based developer and qeep’s inaugural third-party game partner. This collaboration opened access to more than 13 million registered users globally.
Sound attacks
Sound Attacks consist of mp3 audio clips embedded within the qeep network that enable users to send messages causing immediate playback of sounds on the recipient’s device. Many of these audio files are humorously crude or provocative, effectively acting as unsolicited "attacks" on the receiver’s phone. The platform also features special edition sounds for events such as the Christmas season.