LoKast Launches Disposable Proximity Social Network
LoKast is an iPhone app by NearVerse exploring a new dimension in location-based technology. There is an ever-growing number of new and already existing applications looking to jump on the location sharing band-wagon. Most are the same concept: simply a way to broadcast your location to your social networks. LoKast takes a different approach, creating a temporary social network based on who is currently within about 300 feet of you.
It’s a pretty interesting concept. Instead of sharing your location with people who are probably nowhere near you, LoKast lets you share content with the people in closest proximity to you. In the context of SXSW, entrepreneurs, businesses, and fans could share information about themselves and their companies on LoKast. Anyone in the vicinity would be able to see who you are, what you’re about, and how to contact you. This makes networking simple and easy. Just fire up LoKast and see who is in the room.
LoKast has paid particular attention to sharing music via the free application. Users can share clips of songs with others, who will see links to download the entire song via iTunes. This is also a method for LoKast to turn a profit. This media-sharing ability opens the doors for your content to go viral. If you’re a musician, for example, you could offer free downloads of some of your songs through LoKast. This would be most useful at a concert where you could announce to your fans that they can get the free LoKast app and download some free music. Once they leave, your content will be available for them to share wherever they go and with minimal effort. Rather than hustling to give away physical copies your demo CD, just show up and potential fans can listen to your work immediately.
LoKast has already received venture funding and announced partnerships with music distribution companies The Orchard, IODA and Monalis 360. With the proliferation of iPhones, even among non-techies, this type of automatic content sharing could get very interesting. It may also provide a conduit for people to be more social in a physical sense in a world where most of us have way more friends online than in real life.
You can find the LoKast app in the App Store.
About the Author Rahsheen has been a certified geek since before it was the thing to do. He started programming and tinkering in the 4th grade. Now, Rahsheen mostly writes on various sites about technology trends in social media and mobile. . He is also a musician, singer, rapper, writer, and producer. @rahsheen - +Rahsheen Porter - coachrah.com
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