Brightkite - location-based social network

[rootX]

http://brightkite.com/

It's an iPhone application (or runs on simple phones too). It finds your GPS location and tells you about all other users are withing 100 m, 200 m, or .. 2 km .., .. range.

I think it's a really impressive application but there are obviously privacy issues. It can be very useful though - like getting traffic information or parking spots etc.

 

[waht]

There is a similar app on google phone.

I don't see what's the point to know that your neighbour has an iphone, or someone you don't know entered a store.

I guess a variation that shows you the location of your friends only would be more useful.

 

[rootX]

I don't see what's the point to know that your neighbour has an iphone, or someone you don't know entered a store.

But that can be as useful as
http://www.gasbuddy.com/

GasBuddy web sites allow motorists to share information about low priced fuel with others as well as target the lowest priced stations to save money when filling up at the pumps!

where strangers are providing us information about the lowest gas prices.

Brightkite is a new application and there aren't many users yet, and many people don't own iphones. But, I think these kind of applications which enable us to easily share information with a large group of strangers can be very useful.

 

[Mk]

I think it's a really impressive application but there are obviously privacy issues. It can be very useful though - like getting traffic information or parking spots etc.

Privacy issues? Well if you wanted privacy about this you wouldn't have downloaded the app in the first place.

 

[Proton Soup]

it would certainly be a great way to stream location-specific ads to people

 

[lisab]

it would certainly be a great way to stream location-specific ads to people

That was my thought, too...what a great way for marketers to constantly pester you.

 

[Evo]

I saw this advertised. I can see it appealing to young people with a closed set of friends, but I can't imagine sharing my location and what I'm doing with complete strangers. Talk about an invitation to psychos.