Brightkite, a geo-aware social network from the TechStars class of 2007, has given us a peek at the site’s upcoming iPhone application, due to appear in the App Store in the next few weeks (pending Apple’s approval process).
Brightkite’s featureset will be familiar to users of similar applications like Loopt. The app allows users to syndicate their current location to their friends, meet nearby Brightkite users, and lifestream with the equivalent of geo-encoded Tweets. The application is tied to Yahoo’s Fire Eagle, which allows users to manage their location from a number of other services. The site also uses databases to automatically associate POI’s and cross streets with GPS locations, so user positions aren’t simply displayed as coordinates.
The application looks impressive, but it will have plenty of competition: there’s already at least six major geo-location networks vying to get some traction on the iPhone. Founder Martin May acknowledges that Brightkite shares many similarities with other geo-enabled social networks, but points out that Brightkite is available worldwide, while most of its competitors are not. He also says that Brightkite’s SMS integration and existing user base of 50,000 users through its website and other mobile platforms may also help give it a leg up, though some of its competitors have estbalished users bases and distributions on other platforms as well.
If you’d like to try Brightkite’s main website (you’ll have to wait a few more days for the iPhone app), you can sign up for the private beta through this special link.
Disclosure: Brightkite competitor Loopt should be considered a TechCrunch sponsor.
techstars.com is redirecting to: http://www.findlinks.com/
Issue is where?
its techstars.org
sweet… i’ve seen some of the iphone slingers running around boulder w/ brightkite loaded up – looks great and hearing fantastic reviews.
they also have a very comprehensive api – http://groups.g.../brightkite-api
It looks like the entire web is talking about the brightkite iPhone demo. We interviewed the Martin, brightkite CTO on our podcast. Listen to what he had to say about the upcoming iphone app and the future of location based networks.
http://talksoci...d-applications/
Until the app comes out, is there any way to see what’s going on in certain areas and not just messages from all over the world seen on the main page?
I would love to know what technologies they used to build this? Is there any info on their technology stack around?
java+sqlite??!!
http://12tb.com
I’ve been using the beta for a few weeks and it has been solid.
I would guess 80% of the time I don’t have to do much more than three taps to check into my location (with auto guess and placemarks) which makes it easy and addictive to use.
Once using it, if someone checks in near you, a text message is sent to you alerting you of it (so in a way the app works in the background).
Any questions to a user?
I’ve been using Brightkite’s website in beta for months and it’s a lot of fun! I’m not heavily into social networking and some of the other geo-apps felt like overkill – not in terms of features but more in usability and branding. I find Brightkite pretty user-friendly and even playful. I’m excited for the iPhone app!
Ipgauth, Brightkite exists outside of an iPhone app. Works on any phone, Checkout Brightkite.com. Most of the ‘technology stack’ is on the server side, client just needs to be smart enough to send location info. But you might get an answer there.
They are taking the time to make sure the platform specific mobile apps, such as the iPhones version, are done ‘right’, as apps like Loopt made some serious missteps.
The way Twinkle gathers only ‘local’ messages from Twitter, is parsing the twitter API. I would imagine, most ‘magic’ involved with ‘locating’ a message is merely going to compare the Lat/long, or location name in database.
I didn’t happen to see a map during the demo. Most social network apps on iPhone have a map that I can find and see friends on, but their app exhibits none of that. So this app isn’t anything special. Sounds like brightkite is more or less hype and just a rally from their fans… In reality their app is as bland and tasteless as much as they are overdue. guys, the appstore launched in july
There are maps, and more importantly, notifications (via txt, app or email) if your friends are near.
they are probably creating more hype and rally waiting until October. I can’t wait…woohoo
If you didn’t notice, the App Store is full of a lot of poor rushed to market apps … similar to that bin of games under $5 at the local computer store…. that do nothing to showcase the power of the device. It looks like this app might actually harness what’s possible. I’d much prefer that to all the apps I’ve downloaded and subsequently deleted do to poor quality, lack of utility, and just a general lack of attention to detail.
Brightkite has become my favorite network since I started using it a couple months ago. It is exciting to meet new people (BK users) around the places I go. BK is so easy to use with the placemarks and the well designed interface. So far I think Brightkite is the most impressive of all geo-location networks. I can’t wait for the new iphone app.
Neat, I’m in the video. And so is Metropolis Coffee, the awesome little coffee shop one block from my building…
I’ve been using Brightkite for a few months now and think it’s great. However I have a Blackberry and not an iPhone so there is no sexy app. out there, I have to use the mobile web interface if I need to post and it’s kind of slow and messy to do anything else.
I’d like to see some work starting on a Brightkite application for the Blackberry but sadly I don’t have the knowledge to program one myself
See my blog post about it here.
http://www.g6ph....uk/site/?p=137
Cheers
D
Looking forward to this.
It seems like these applications are principally an extension of functionality from the social network that keeps people connected when they are on the go. For this purpose I love them. However, they fall short when it you want to communicate with someone who is not in the club (social network). I am either forced to push my social network on all of my friends, or not be able to stay connected to them.
I look forward to the day when someone launches this functionality in a way that does not require the social network. A day when I can send a message to any friend using any type of mobile phone handset: “I look forward to meeting you for a drink today after work” and they get the text message with the geo location that will map the directions to where I am at.
dat would b da schnizzle
BrightKite is an incredibly well designed tool. It’s useful social networking.
It’s great for knowing if your coworkers are in the office or out of town– no need for an in-out board. It makes meeting up and finding people you know so much easier. Particularity in a walkable college town like where I live (Bloomington, IN). Groups of people find each other that otherwise wouldn’t. It’s made a difference in our tech community and helped us strengthen ties with one another.
The only issue is being disciplined to check in… Location snapping takes that away and makes it a no brainier. I can’t wait to get my hands on the iphone app. Great work guys!
BrightKite is in a very crowed space
Check out another competitor http://www.blummi.com