You’re used to people on social networks knowing your friends, your likes, and your dislikes. But what about a network that knows exactly where you were at all times? Users on the newBliin social network whose mobile phones are equipped with GPS technology can join. People who opt in use an application in the handset to log into the network. Once someone is logged in, other users can follow their position on their own handsets, or on a computer, where the location is sown on a Google map. According to one user, not only does theapplication display location, but also the speed when driving. So what, you might wonder, is the point behind all this? Doesn’t it seem a little bit like a self-imposed Big Brother? Theaim, really, is for friends to see when other friends are geographically close and contact them to meet. Although this feature certainly distinguishes Bliin, the site also has all the otherusual social networking features. “Not only will you be able to see what people are around you, but what they have left at certain locations,” said Stef Jackson, the CEO of Bliin.“We call this a share. That can be photos, a video or pieces of audio.” Other companies are developing similar sites, aimed at exploiting the increased integration of mobile phonesas add-ons for social networks. For those who worry that this feature puts them on display to all and sundry, Bliin does have visibility settings, under which you can choose to be visible just tofriends, or even just to yourself – handy if you’re your own best friend.
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