Mingle - App idea

[thepaddedroom]

The G1 can pretty much track us down to a few feet using GPS and keep a ready data stream via 3G or EDGE.

As we're so friendly with one another here, and 3G is pretty much restricted to metropolises, why not an app that will alert willing G1 owners when they come within a few hundred feet of one another.

Maybe come to us with the option of sending a message (SMS or IM) with a double-blind. Message is optional. Further contact is optional. Just an alert that somebody with whom you share a gadget interest is nearby.
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In my mind, it works this way.

You're walking down the street with this application running discreetly in the background, when suddenly your phone beeps/vibrates/plays mp3 of "Getting to know you" from the King & I (your choice of notification).

You look at the G1 and it informs you, "Another Mingle user is nearby. Wanna bug'em?" YES or NO.

NO dismisses the notification and tells the app to ignore the other Mingler. (Maybe a "Refresh" option for after you've had a few drinks and feel a bit braver.)

YES opens a message window. No ID given, other than something like "Android/Nearby Mingler", and the introductory conversation can start there.

In the menu, after the first message exchange, maybe a friendslist option with ID. Maybe it uses Gtalk after anonymity is no longer a concern.
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I think there are similar programs that utilize Bluetooth. I don't think Bluetooth would be the best object for proximity searching in this case. Since we're counting on a few hundred feet to keep anonymity. (Hard not to notice when both of your phones beep and you flip out the keyboards when you're ten feet away.) But the anonymous messaging seems like an original feature.

[jmd2275]

Not a bad idea...someone else had it already....

Check out...

http://www.indiabolbol.com/hookmeup-...d-application/

[tread]

plus posting an idea that you're seriously considering developing on a public forum is always a good idea....

but yes, several applications that are being developed/have been developed use similar features as to what you are thinking about, except for maybe the type of alerts that you have...

would be a nice free app, but a developer would be hard pressed to make any money off of that... i sure as hell would not buy it even for 2 dollars

[thepaddedroom]

Not worried about someone else developing. My programming skills go no farther than a self-heal macro on WoW.

[thepaddedroom]

Not a bad idea...someone else had it already....

Check out...

http://www.indiabolbol.com/hookmeup-...d-application/

Glad to see it. Pretty much covers it. The double blind isn't really necessary with screennames. It just makes it easier to avoid other people.