According to some of the copious amounts of 2011 predictions floating around the wondrous interweb (see here and here for a couple of good’uns), one of this years predicted trends will be a growth in niche/specialist social networks.
Choice paralysis, data/information overload and other such phrases are continually thrown around across various spheres – and with good reason. Google and other such searches feeds back countless results for people to sift through; ongoing, continually updating streams of information in the form of Facebook and Twitter feeds offer us updates, amongst other things, stream of consciousness updates and links to Inception-style articles, which provide us with subsidiary links in which to lose ourselves.
It’s no surprise then that people are trying to win back an element of manageability in the form of simplicity. This can be seen in Amazon’s one click ordering process, numerous Apps claiming to make shopping or banking easier and even simplified blogging (Tumblr), video editing (Animoto) and, to some extent, publishing (The Domino Project) platforms, making the processes more accessible.
The natural evolution of such increasing simplicity is already extending to more focused social networks and, so the predictions go, these are set to grow. As you can imagine, there are some interesting ones popping up, from the practical to the unusual to the insane. The former and middle adjectives can be applied to Path, a new app created by a former Facebook exec . Based on Dunbar’s Number, which dictates that we’re unable to manage social relationships with an inner circle of more than 150, Path allows you to share moments via photo and video and has a friend limit of just 50.
Whilst Path connects you with those close to you, Planely brings you together with people you’ve never met. Just type in your flight number and you’ll find others arriving and departing with you. The idea behind this, which is a good one, is to harness the “greatest untapped resource of knowledge and entertainment on your journey” — other fliers.
In a similar vain, but on a totally seperate topic, iPoo is an on-toilet resource that allows those on the can to connect and communicate with one another. Features include virtual stalls to graffiti on, real time statistics and previous visitors - a step too far?
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