Apple Researching How the iPhone Can Help You Make New Friends

Other than being totally creepy I'm sure it would have some usefulness. Maybe it would help someone severely lacking social skills make friends by giving them easy conversation ideas? Seems pretty stalkerish though.
 
Seems like the 3ds Mii swap feature. I do like seeing how many other people my 3ds collects when im walking around :D
 
apple is way behind in this.

fox already show that (the idea at least) in two shows of them, "bones" and "lie to me".
 
I can see this being a thing some people are interested in, perhaps a lot of people. That being said, I want Apple to stay focused on the device and hardware not some software "feature" that could be a flash in the pan thing. Create an app fine but would prefer they even leave that to a third party.
 
similar to 3ds

I think the 3DS has a similar feature, at least according to Yahtzee's review over at escapist magazine (in which he proceeds to plot similar, terrible things to do with it...)

Perhaps this patent is simply Apple's contingency plan or competition in the case that catches on, or perhaps more signiifcantly it represents an overhaul or improvement to Ping which, imho is still kind of 'meh' and is in danger of going the route of mobileme.

I am still really surprised how many of my younger relatives (6-10yr) have iOS devices, they really are the largest user base other than college kids in my exp. I am surprised b/c I will probably not let my kid have one, since I remember outsmarting my parents and getting around the blocks on ol' AOL :rolleyes:

this is prob just Apple's experiments in postulating what the next phase of 'social networking' might be...
 
batchtaster said:
Already been tried.
Click to expand...

A lot of stuff Apple does has already been tried...
Well, what am I saying... EVERYTHING Apple does has already been tried.
The difference is execution.

Looks like a brilliant move, commercially.
Philosophically is another story. 'Social' in technology always leaves me skeptical. The only thing that I find a lil' bit positive is that the concept seems to be inviting people to actually meet up.
 
. . . a person needs to discover like-minded or compatible people who have similar interests or experiences to him or her.
Click to expand...

Wait . . . what happened to the politically correct awesomeness of diversity?

Identifying new persons with common interests for friendships is difficult. For example, when two strangers meet, it may take a long and awkward conversation to discover their common interests or experiences.
Click to expand...

Yeah, heaven forbid that you actually have to interact with people.

Does anyone else think this is insane? Just me? Right now Alvin Toffler must be shaking his head and thinking WTF!?!?!?!

Here's an idea. If this comes to market, someone should hack Jobs phone so that this feature is always on. Then all Apple zealots . . . er . . . I mean "like minded people" can instantly find him and pay him a visit. Then let's see how long this cool app lasts.
 
MacRumors said:
Phone numbers and contacts can be compared, as well as common bookmarks or games played on device.
Click to expand...

This could be fun. Imagine the software lets you know that the guy you are sitting next to has some of the same phone numbers in his phone book as you do.

Maybe your doctor...
Your Divorce Attorney...
Your ex-wife...
Your teenage daughter...
 
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