Edopter is a unique concept that attempts to combine crowd-sourcing with internet buzz to predict new trends. It’s called “social trendcasting.”
The way it works, is by allowing users to generate “trends” according to what they think will catch on. Some trends are “cewebrities” (pictured below), “Batman: The Dark Knight,” and “tap water.” The user who makes the trend writes a “pitch” – the reason they think it will catch on. Then the Edopter system scans the web to measure current internet “buzz.” Users can join a trend, and give their pitch, upload photos and videos related to the trend, and discuss the trend with the other users in that trend. The more discussion and content you add, the more likely more people will join, thus increasing the value of the trend.
There is a point system that measures the trends based on the users involved, the internet buzz, and the time it’s been a trend. The points go up with each user, and down as time goes by. To join a trend, a user has to buy in with some of their points (each user starts with 500). The purchase price for a trend is its current worth, so users are encouraged to get in on trends early.
The Edopter “Showcase” is where users can trade in points for exclusive opportunities and other prizes. The showcase is currently under construction, with plans to open it up sometime in the near future.
Edopter recently launched their Facebook application so users can connect with friends already using the service and invite others. Through the application users can track other users’ favorite and recent trends, and or use the VS. feature to compare common trends and statistics.
The potential for a solid business model here is huge. If it were to take off (maybe its users and algorithm could predict if it will or not), they would have access to a very hard to reach demographic – early adopters. The trendsetters who are always on the lookout for the next new thing. There’s opportunities to sell sponsored trends, and promotions where users could earn more points. They could draw some inspiration from popular virtual currency Facebook applications like Friends for Sale. For example, using points as rewards for users that invite their friends, and become more involved in the site.
There are several sites with with similar concepts, but they mainly stay within one vertical. MediaPredict is a site where you buy shares in movies, music and books and predict milestones for each item. Another similar application is PicksPop, where users can predict and bet on celebrity gossip and pop culture. There’s also CoolSpotters, a site where users can “spot” cool clothes on celebrities and share with the community to get reviews and similar trends. What these sites lack in comparison to Edopter, is the proprietary algorithm that Edopter uses to predict the trends’ staying power. Edopter is also lacking a specific vertical, enabling users to predict and measure any trend they want.
pretty interesting concept..hope it will work [:)]
Hey! I posted that shot of Jason and Michael!
I’ve been on the site since the beginning, love it. Check me out on the site:
http://edopter....m/users/TheEdge
“cewebrities?”
“cewebrities?”
sounds like that priest in “The Princess Bride”
everyday more and more apps are built around stupid ideas.
interesting idea!
I like apples
Are you IN or are you out of the loop?
best techcrunch headline ever
This is interesting concept. I like it..
The concept of social trendcasting sounds innovative and interesting. I hope it’ll be successful in no time. I better try it then.
I don’t know if it Calley’s writing style or the idea being expressed, but Edopter sounds like the most confusing website on the planet. Do I have to take a class to learn how to use it? Without the ’showcase’, which will probably launched as a half baked virtual flea market, this site will quickly become a wasteland and a spammer’s wet dream.
social trendcasting, crowdsourcing, internet buzz, trends, cewebrities, pitches, UGC, points, showcase, FACEBOOK APP, proprietary algorithm (for really real? I’m guessing it’s a scrape of Google), early adopters… gotta love it!!!
another dumb brick in the wall.
Is the Dark Knight a success, because of Ledger’s death? Some people have said that the movie blatantly played on the symbolism of 9-11 with the poster, some say it’s a great movie, some say heath ledger played his best role. What do you think?
If they backed up the site by awarding share options in the emerging companies to the people who were most successful at spotting the trends, then this could be huge. For once there would be a crowdsourcing site with a major financial incentive to those who contribute. Of course, they’d need to ensure that non Americans could apply, this being the *world-wide* web after all.
edopter is a great concept and the site is extremely easy to use. i’ve messed around with the site a bit over the past couple months and think it has great potential.
i’m a definite fan of edopeter
Sounds too advanced to keep a first-time user attracted for long enough to appreciate the site. I see a flop =(
I hope it’ll be successful in no time. I better try it then.