The future of the Internet, Web 3.0, will be about the enhancement of time and space. OOOOOOkayyyy. Sounds like somebody has seen one too many episodes of Star Trek. But hold on. Don’t get too cosmic on me. Let it sink in a moment.
Let’s try this again... The future of the Internet, Web 3.0, is location aware, moment relevant Internet. Too Sergey Brin for you? But hold on. Don’t get too geeky on me. Let it sink in a moment.
One more time, friends... The future of the Internet, Web 3.0, is everyware. Get it? If not, “check in” with FourSquare, Brightkite, Gowalla or Loopt. What is this next big thing? It’s location-based mobile apps and they’re putting the SOCIAL back into social media.
Location-based social networking allows you to share your location through GPS-enabled smart-phones and broadcast that location through your Facebook newsfeed, Twitter, text message or email. It can show you friends' locations; recommend places to check-out as you stroll down the sidewalk; win rewards by frequenting an affiliated venue (for example, some watering holes offer a free drink to those who have the most check-ins); and more. The possibilities are endless.
In short, Web 3.0 does the full loopt (pun intended) by bringing us back to where we started… the real world. The potential for these applications to do good by doing well couldn’t be better timed with the dynamic cause-marketing industry expected to top a record $1.6 billion in 2010. One early example of this is the “Check in for Haiti” campaign where check-ins at Whole Foods, Chipolte Grill or Panera Bread are rewarded with $1 donation to Haiti.
Check-in for Haiti is just the tip of the (melting) iceberg. Here at Changents we’re thinking about ways to leverage the technology to build-out local volunteer opportunities where consumers can team-up in person with iconic Change Agents and good corporate citizens in their communities. As real consumers “check-in” with Change Agents and corporate cause projects locally (and “shout” the check-in to their friends across Twitter and Facebook integration), they would earn badges for their efforts. Depending on the corporate partner, badges would be redeemable for discounts and/or prizes.
Because the applications are “location aware and moment relevant”, a tremendous opportunity exists to connect consumers who have a few hours to spare with exciting Change Agents and their local projects in real time. Talk about killing the time productively! If social purpose is indeed the new social status, location-based applications that help people make a difference “everyware” is pretty cool!
We’re also thinking there may be ways to use these apps to help people discover or create locations with social or environmental implications… sites of sustainable businesses, gorgeous environmental spots, places where humanitarian aid is being used effectively, etc.
It’s exciting, isn’t it? That’s all we can share at the moment. But standby and we’ll “check-in” with you soon. And if you have any ideas or suggestions, let us know!
