Plazes is a cool location service that cleverly is building a database of locations users go to, leveraging that info to make connections, and then some.
They started with a PC app for sniffing MAC addresses of routers.
Then they added a s60 app for smartphones to sniff cellIDs (I had a tiny role in that).
Now they are adding SMS (see note below).
I like the way they are doing things for at least 2 reasons:
1) They didn’t try to do everything possible in the first go. They started with the low-hanging fruit, go the service rolling, and are now adding new channels.
I call this ‘first go deep, then go wide’. We had a discussion about this at work, worried that ‘going wide’ – integrating and broadening the offering – would detract from ‘going deep’ – laser focus on making one thing the best damn thing. It’s a tough balance.
2) They are testing all sorts of channels. They started with an easy one, that wouldn’t disrupt one’s behaviour too much – a PC client, easy to work with. Then they upped it a bit – the mobile client needed to be put on the phone, there’s some behavioural change on the phone (really, how many times do you do something when changing cell towers?). Now they are asking the user to actively think about where they are, making them do the work (or at least that’s what I think the SMS channel will require).
I’ve asked to check it out. I haven’t been able to use the mobile version since I got my N93 (and now N73). This SMS version should work with any phone. I’d be interested in knowing what the usability will be like.
From the Plazes newsletter:
Good news for all Plazes users that like to use our service on the go,
but do not own a series 60 smartphone: The Plazes SMS gateway reached
alpha state! It enables the creation of Plazes, checkin / checkout to
Plazes and keeping track of your friends – all via SMS!
