iPhone owners, like users of most Apple products, are a fairly passionate, elitist group of people.
I think an iPhone-only social network, if it had the right features, would be a huge hit with these users. Actually, I think any mobile social network would be a big hit, if it had presence awareness and was able to tell you both where your friends are and what they are up to. And also let you meet new people around you who were open to it.
I wrote about some of the early experiments with mobile social networks last September (see our more recent coverage of LimeJuice as well). The big social networks, of course, aren’t ignoring mobile, either. But even Facebook’s iPhone app is just the desktop version optimized for that phone. It doesn’t leverage the device itself to tell you when friends are close.
The goal here isn’t just to let users see where their friends are and what they are up to. The killer app is to facilitate meeting new people - either for dating (see a picture of everyone around you who’s single and looking, along with their basic bio), or business (see the professional bio and picture of everyone at the cocktail party). Subject to privacy controls, of course.
Once a network has critical mass users will, depending on privacy settings, be able to walk into any gathering and see information on the people in the room. Whoever gets there first will have a far more valuable asset than the existing networks at MySpace and Facebook today. Social networks are about being social. And social implies being around other people. The device they have with them when they’re doing that, and which can enhance those social gatherings, is their mobile phone. The key to doing that is through GPS or cell phone triangulation (which the iPhone now has).
None of the mobile social networks we’ve covered have even come close to establishing a critical mass. The key to winning is getting users on devices that have GPS or triangulation for presence and location, and having software on the phone instead of just accessing it from a website. Getting java apps on phones in Europe is much easier than in the U.S., which is why most of the mobile social network startups are located there.
The iPhone, though, has both. Or rather, soon will have both (the SDK to allow third party apps on the phone may have been delayed). As soon as that SDK is released, look for a flurry of third party applications to try and create a social network on the iPhone.
The front runners will be Facebook and MySpace, who, I assume, will get their users to install software on the phone as quickly as possible and try to add location information for users who choose to share it.
But new startups will try as well. And one way to differentiate themselves may be to offer a social network that is open only to iPhone users, and no one else. The exclusivity factor may be exactly what will draw enough iPhone users to kick start the service.
Fon11 - Giving It A Shot
Berkeley-based Fon11 is one startup that we’re tracking that plans to do this. The service works already through the web browser on the iPhone. In fact, you have to use it from an iPhone - it’s the only way you can register for an account, add friends or do anything else. The website, when accessed from any where but an iPhone, just shows information about the service (note - that isn’t entirely true - you can go to testiphone.com and enter fon11.com/home and see it just like it would appear on the iPhone - but only from the Safari browser).
The service is fairly limited right now to setting presence/status information. They can’t use the iPhone triangulation feature, so they set up a separate service called OpenLandmark to let people set their location information (it works well for places you visit frequently). The service caught the eye of the iPhone team, who made it a Staff Pick earlier this month.
Blackberry has a true GPS and allows third party apps on their phone. And Google’s Android will also do all of this as well. But something tells me that iPhone users might be the first group of people to jump on mobile social networks, and wouldn’t mind letting other iPhone users in the room know they’re part of the cult.
Update: Must-read discussion of this post here.
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in every 2-3 years a new social network booms in and after sometime the hype slows. for example, why no one talks about myspace revenues when projects facebook 15b valuation? because if to look at real stats the headlines wont be that interesting and 15b will sound absurd.
now iphone social network, yeah it would be great, mobile social networks in general too. but how many ads will fit in that tiny screen to make those apps real business?
I’ll stick with windows mobile until the iPhone can do everything I can. the phone and the plan for it on ATT are too $$$ for me still
iPhone owners, like users of most Apple products, are a fairly passionate, elitist group of people
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LOL, elitist group of people, how to describe BMW owners.
We wish the iPhone was the only mobile Internet device as it would make work a lot easier! We are concentrating on three mobile OSes (Windows, iPhone and Android), as we see eventually one or two being the leader. Maybe it is the iPhone, but MS just acquired Danger and thus that could increase mass market adoption of Windows Mobile.
As for fitting ads into tiny screens, there are other ways to distribute ads on mobile social networks…besides text ads!
Apple should really build social networking features into .Mac. .Mac has so much potential for Apple (recurring subscription revenue, social networking platform, etc).
I dont think there will be an iphone-only one. I think it will be accessible by iphone users though.
this has existed for quite some time. http://www.groovr.com
i think this is a great idea, i know i look foward to it.
It won’t work until the SDK is released.
I agree that there is a massive opportunity for mobile social networking. Jaiku was really on to something with the Nokia S60 client they developed. It offers much of what you’re talking about with regard to presence and location-aware services, and in many ways the S60 platform is even better suited than the iPhone to this kind of stuff.
But development at Jaiku seems to have ground to a halt since the acquisition. Doesn’t it seem like Google is abandoning what could have been a critical piece of the mobile puzzle?
iRovr has been a awesome iphone only social site since geez the 1.1.2 FW days. Really love the smooth and easy interface and the method of adding content, so easy.
yeah but Alaska, that’s coming any time…the question is will it work after that.
A social network just for iphone users probably has the same probability of success as a social network for mac users. Probably lower. True many of my friends have iphones(as do I), but is that enough for me to dump other mobile networks and stick to an iphone only network?
On the other hand a new work whose mobile component is iphone only but web component is open to all might have a good chance of success. Thoughts Mike?
-B.
iRovr is a GREAT iPhone social networking site. It’s almost like family on there. Very easy to use too.
I have to second Bobby’s comment. I have tried them all, at one point and another, and iRovr.com beats them all, hands down. Easy to use, friendly place, awesome interface, and admins that are “present” and always improving the site.
I would go with iRovr.com as my pick for iPhone social networking site. The interface is easy to use and visually appealing. I’ve been a member since late July and have watched the site grow. The community remains friendly and warm. I highly recommend joining and selecting iRovr.com; you’ll see how friendly of a community the site really is.
I have to say iRovr.com is the best so far that I have used. It’s so easy use, the people are so friendly. Check it out if you haven’t yet….iRovr.com (CAUTION: VERY ADDICTIVE)
Fantastic. We are only now finally getting rid of the cancerous IE only sites only to move to a different form of proprietary stupidity. Even better, will somehow be considered iCool.
As far as I am concerned iRovr is the best iPhone social network for the iPhone. I have even lost interest in myspace. I spend every waking hour on iRovr. Go to you tube and check out the iRovr video. There is nothing like iRovr and it has given my iPhone new life!!!
Best article i have ever read for you.
Good prediction.
Are you crazy?
Unless the following happens, its a big NO WAY:
1. Apple makes it. All the iFanboys will join, making it successful.
2. Its an extension of an existing network.
3. Its done so freaking amazingly that it makes people WANT to buy an iPhone.
I don’t think an iPhone-only social network is a good idea. I would suggest an Apple-only social network where iMacs, iPhones (and maybe next-generation iPods and Apple TVs — who knows) owners can communicate with each other online.
What’s the revenue model? Will you use a social networks that puts ads on your phone screen or spams your phone with ads? Computer screen is different, having an ad here and there is not as intrusive as having it on a phone screen where every pixel is precious space.
Here’s a sample thread from an iPhone social network:
- hey Bob, are you in an Apple store?
- yeah, come over here man, let go sit in a starbucks and show off our cool macbooks while listening to U2 on our iPods
@22
I really hope Apple implement a social network around .Mac, that would be awesome.
http://www.irovr.com It works, tons of people. We have a blast. Check it out if you want to see what an iphone only community can be like. You will be surprised.
@25
Subscription-based - (a couple bucks added to their phone bill).
Well all the comments from iRovr, proves that there is already one that has a fair number of users. By the way, hi guys. See you back at iRovr.
these guys are totally getting calls from 20+ VCs right now
iRovr is THE BEST social network for iPhone!! Hands down!
Jenny, I know you’re just the iRovr admin assistant, but if you don’t post a glowing comment soon I’m going to make you pick up my dry cleaning for a week.
the author obviously has no idea just how behind myspace truly is. will they get an iphone app? eventually. but for now they have their most retarded developers working on the app. word is they’ve been working on it for months, and can’t seem to crank it out.
as for facebook, they’d be more successful if their layout didn’t completely suck. the only reason that they have any users anyway is because myspace likes to ad up everything. they choke the goose that lays golden eggs to get it to produce faster. ftards.
here’s my advice to anyone trying to develop another “social network” (blech!!!):
- scrape existing profile data from other social sites
- add in some geolocation functionality
- make an android port
presto! vc by the boatload!
Would only be successful as a developer/geek community (how to better use my iphone and apple products). Topics for discussion will be limited due to user isolations. Most of the users won’t put much value in the relationships established within the communication since most of the relationships will be with strangers. Only common topic is Apple and therefore it’s basically an Apple FAQ on steriods. Strangers get tired of looking at strangers after a period of time. Whats the value of sending photos or discuss broad range topics with my iphone when I can’t share those photos with people that I know?
If it would make all the Apple Fanboys leave I’m all for it! I would just cringe to think what they could all talk about. “Apple so t0tally kewl! Ur Iphone Rawks!”
’successful’ is the million-dollar word in this article
what is the obsession with ‘knowing how close your friends are’? i doubt many of our members would want us tracking their whereabouts. since there isn’t an easy way to do this without some manual input from users, I’m going to say its a feature not worth developing. thank you to our members for chiming in!
it should be open to everybody. If you want to be private, invite your friends to a private group.
Ummm, president iRovr all the folks making comments about iRovr are different people. I recognize their screen names from the site. Someone posted a link and a bunch of people decided to comment. Oh and by the way none of the admins have posted a comment. We just love the site and like to tell others about it.
Oh never mind the creator of the site just commented while I was writing my previous post.
oh and our members are meeting up offline all the time, romances flourishing and deep bonds forming. live location data isn’t the key to forming relationships - communication is.
There will be a social network that rules on the iPhone, and that will be myspace.
LOL @ Bama!
Yeah, I wish I had an administrative assistant!
Hey, when you can afford one E, I’ll apply for the job. It will pay $100,000+ a year right?
iRovr is different from anything you’ve experienced. I love it more than chocolate.
http://www.irovr.com is the best out there. If you don’t believe me go check it out and see what it has in store for you. There are hundreds of people and many different private streams that allow you to find a customized social network for you.
I have to agree with the irovr posts. Someone mentioned this blog on there and we came over to inform the world how much we love irovr.
irovr beats myspace and I am a myspace junkie. I still have my myspace but there is nothing like irovr. When you are up and the rest of the world seems to be asleep at least on myspace you have all your irovr friends that are still posting. This site is addicting but it is also nice when you need a pick me up or a group of people that aren’t going to pick on you or make fun of you for liking cool gadgets.
myspace and facebook close while irovr is 24/7 something is happening. Definetly the cream of the crop!
For the record the users of irovr don’t get paid or anything for their posts complimenting them. They are just truly that great that we actually like talking about them!!! Go figure! In a world of so so sites and so so companies the iphone users found a groups that is as elite as they are! About time!
Sign me up, I’d use it, just like anything they’ll have to get a bit of mass to make it worth the effort for me to check in.
Is it me or did someone pay irovr people to come here ?
Marvin Hidalgo…. I think its just you!!! NO ONE PAYS IROVIANS TO REPRESENT iROVR….WE JUST DO IT BECAUSE WE LOVE THE SITE.
I would LOVE this! I am part of the sidekick only one - http://hipalbum.com & i would really love an iphone one!
Marvin - I think the members are just “passionate elitists”! LOL I certainly am not paying them or giving them any perks. They do really love the site.