Friendster, LinkedIn, and Ryze (among others). You know the names. You know that social networking services are a "killer app". And now, Bluetooth is getting in on the act.
You've just ordered a Grey Goose and tonic at the Purple Shamrock when your cellphone begins to chime. You pull it out of your purse, and catch a glimpse of a Johnny Depp look-alike on the display screen.
"Meet Henry," the text reads. "He shares your interest in snowboarding and 'Kill Bill' movies."
You look up and - lo and behold - there's Henry, sipping a Ketel One and soda, just 10 feet away.
Serendipity, the service that brought you together, was developed by Nathan Eagle, 27, a graduate student in media technology at MIT. It uses Bluetooth wireless technology to connect like-minded souls.
Every device loaded with Bluetooth - be it a cellphone, a laptop or a PDA - broadcasts a unique ID via a radio frequency that alerts every other Bluetooth device within 5 to 10 meters of its existence. Eagle's software, also installed in the device, wakes up every 60 seconds and grabs any new IDs in sight. It sends those IDs to Eagle's server (at www.mobule.com), where interested parties have banked personal profiles.
1. That is very cool! although, the example could have been better: maybe Henrietta would have been a better choice. :-)
Posted at 8:13PM on Dec 18th 2005 by Peter Caputa