Mobile social network preps UK launch
- Added:
- May 07, 2008
Mobile social network Next2Friends has bought BluetoothMeet, an early stage UK mobile social network business, ahead of its planned launch this month.
Following a four month beta period, Next2Friends has a network of thousands of members across 129 countries.
The Next2Friends technology platform incorporates a range of mobile communication and broadcast features.
BluetoothMeet soft-launched at the end of 2007 and quickly built a strong network of loyal users. Students make up a large portion of the 18-25 year old user base, using it to keep in touch and make new contacts via the Bluetooth service.
Users have already migrated across to the fuller-featured beta stage service and Luke Rose, founder of BluetoothMeet, has joined the Next2Friends UK team to develop its proximity-marketing programme.
"Bluetooth-tagging is a key mobile application for the future;" commented Anthony Nystrom, CTO of Next2Friends. "Luke's vision and passion for its potential evolution is a great fit with what we’re looking to achieve in the area and his knowledge and experience will enable Next2Friends to engage with businesses as well as consumers ahead of our planned schedule."
Next2Friends will be creating third party marketing and promotional opportunities utilising its Tag & Meet technology.
Chiefly for informing users of people with shared interests in their physical world, the feature also offers the opportunity for venues, event organisers, brands and retailers to engage with potential consumers based on location.
As the Next2Friends network grows, it will also offer targeted services based on interests, activity and demographics.
The UK launch will coincide with a US programme and set the stage for a global marketing service focused on mobile hot spots around the world.