Location Based Platforms

               Location based platforms are a very convenient tool nowadays. It runs off of a GPS signal that provides your location. This allows the ads to be very specific to you based off things located near you. Any app you download onto your mobile device nowadays asks if it can use your “location” while using the app. They ask so they can gain more knowledge about what you do when you’re in a specific location. They then can share/sell the data to businesses, and send you advertisements through the app.

                One cool thing that about location based platforms is that certain apps can show you what’s going on around you. For example Foursquare can show you fun events/things to do near you. You simply just type in the location and instantly you have a list of ideas of what to do on your weekend or even during the day. You simply just select a category you would like to do and then a list pops up showing you all the activities going on in your area. They then provide ratings by people that attended the event or the store. There are so many different searches you can do. You can always find something to do or somewhere to go. It is a great platform especially if you’re new to an area.

                Nowadays people love posting about what they are doing. Instead of remembering where you were when you were taking the pictures, the pictures know where you were. When you post them, they usually add in the location for you if the GPS is active while you’re taking pictures. This makes it easier for you when you upload them to the internet. It seemed like this was where location based technology was leaning towards. People would post “cool” hang outs on the internet, and then this would show their friends where they were. This would benefit the businesses and the social life of the person posting because more people they knew would show up. However, in my opinion many people who wanted to hang out with these people would already know where they were. They probably wouldn’t just want to show up, unless they received an invite. It is however, a great idea for showing off the “cool” atmosphere for future parties/activities.

                Location based platforms can be very effective and efficient. For example Waze with the traffic knowledge, Foursquare with the “things to do”, and dating sites for meeting new people. All of these are based off of your location so you can meet people you will actually have a chance to get to know. These platforms are only going to improve, and after a little research a lot of them are at the beginning stages or their idea is already being offered by some other program. They are just trying to make them different, better, and special.