Will I use a functional spontaneous-hangout-coordinating app of this kind by the end of 2023?
13
422
แน€290
resolved Jan 9
Resolved
NO

For positive resolution, app needs to have these traits:

  • Allows me to broadcast my location and willingness to hang on short notice (potential hangout starting in less than 30m)

  • Allows me some choice over who I broadcast this to on a particular occasion (e.g. multiple circles)

  • I use it for this purpose at least five times (e.g. Facebook could do the above, and I use it, but I don't want to for this purpose, so it doesn't count)

  • I consider it successful at least twice (probably mostly based on 'does anyone show up?')

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@KatjaGrace I'm sorry you didn't find an app for this - though I will say, I've been getting a lot of value from bidirectionally sharing Google maps location 24/7, with my friends and family! It resulted in at least one spontaneous dinner, plus all kinds of ETA logistics are easier now.

(I'm not in Berkeley that often but fwiw I'd be happy to share locations with you, both for meta "value of trying it out" and object-level hangouts!)

predicted NO

@Austin I've been doing this for 12 years, it's pretty great.

@Austin Interesting, thank you! I think I like feeling like nobody really knows where I am, but does seem like I should try it out (perhaps in a less reclusive mood than rn). May take you up on this!

bought แน€50 of NO

have you found anything you like?

@ian No but haven't tried WhatsApp yet

I believe WhatsApp community/group feature does everything in the description. Does it all well too.

@BTE And already has all your friends

@BTE Interesting, thank you. (Not sure if it has my US friends thoughโ€”nobody mentions using WhatsApp in my world except Brits and Australians, but can check)

@KatjaGrace Just tried it out and it's pretty useful!

bought แน€15 of NO

@BTE I can see sort of how messenger, whatsapp, etc. can accomplish this with basic location sharing to existing groups, but I think Katja wanted more one-time flexibility: "Allows me some choice over who I broadcast this to on a particular occasion (e.g. multiple circles)". When I imagine trying this myself, I would feel awkward creating a new combined circle message group of contacts, many of whom don't know each other, just to broadcast that I'm down to hang. It feels a little too transparent and less personal for the recipients to see how wide the net was cast.

Being able to broadcast your location with an accompanying message to multiple groups/individuals at once would be great.

It would be exciting to hear someone's testimonial about making this work though!

Would be a fun hackathon project! As always, overcoming the network effect of having enough people all using such an app to actually work would be hard. Maybe we build it into Manifold...

@Austin it's been more of a thing among my social circle recently, to just use the Google Maps feature to always be sharing location with friends.

@Austin couldn't it just use existing networks? You sign up and the app prompts you to connect it with different social media platforms + have access to your phone contacts. Then when you share your location it's broadcast via DM or text depending on which channel you have for each person. Your friends don't need to be on the app at any point.