It seems like everybody is talking about collaboration, especially at technology conferences. At the Web 2.0 Expo in San Francisco on April 17, Google CEO Eric Schmidt proclaimed that “collaboration is the killer app for the way communities work.” 

I spent two days last week at the Dow Jones VentureWire Wireless Innovations conference in Redwood Shores, California. The conference format is that startup CEO’s present to venture capitalists in breakout sessions of 25 minutes or less. During presentations and spontaneous corridor conversations, the word collaboration came up repeatedly.

One startup presenting at the conference is Pinger, which is optimized for asynchronous mobile-to-mobile communication and perhaps collaboration. In The Culture of Collaboration book, I define crossover tools as communication tools that can be used to foster a Culture of Collaboration. Pinger fits this description and delivers a new type of voice messaging. The company is funded by Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield and Byers. Described as “text messaging for your voice,” Pinger lets users send a voice message by dialing a special number, saying the recipient’s name, and recording a message. Hang up, and the message is sent. Recipients get notification of the Pinger via text message. To hear the message, the recipient can use the phone’s auto-dial function. To reply, just hit “1.” Pinger’s web interface allows management of inbox and contacts.

The service is particularly handy for driving. Unlike text messaging, Pinger conveys voice tone and therefore provides more insight into intent and mood. Also, Pinger is easier than using a tiny QWERTY keyboard especially when driving! And it may even be a cure for Blackberry thumb! So why not leave voice mail instead of sending a Pinger? Voice mail often involves time-consuming, complex voice prompts. Also, you may be interrupting the recipient who may answer the phone.

Pinger turns voice messaging into an efficient communication medium. How we use the medium determines whether we’re truly collaborating. Sending a Pinger with orders for a subordinate subverts collaborative culture, but sending a Pinger with a brainstorm relating to an ongoing project enhances the Culture of Collaboration.