Home Former Justin.tv VP Launches Yobongo in Private Beta

Former Justin.tv VP Launches Yobongo in Private Beta

A little over six weeks out and already everybody’s talking about what company will break out at this year’s SXSW Interactive. There’s been a lot of talk about apps like GroupMe, Beluga and Fast Society, which all make group communication quick and easy, but what about talking to people who you don’t already know?

Enter Yobongo, the iPhone app that “makes it super fun and easy to chat with people nearby.” Today, the company is launching into private beta and ReadWriteWeb readers will get priority access after the jump.

Yobongo was started by Caleb Elston, former VP of product at Justin.tv, and David Kasper, a software engineer at Justin.tv. Both left the company last October, with Elston writing at the time that they wanted Yobongo to be what other apps hadn’t yet realized.

It is clear to us that there will emerge new ways to communicate as a result of the proliferation of always connected location aware mobile devices. We have not seen anything truly new created yet, imagined from the ground up, that takes advantage of the unique characteristics of these new mobile devices. We believe Yobongo will be a new way to communicate and share with people nearby from your mobile device.

According to the current landing page, using the app is as simple as opening it up. “There aren’t rooms to select, friends to find, or people to follow. We magically connect you to the conversation that’s happening around you.”

Elston explained that they’ve taken a different approach than other location apps with Yobongo and that it isn’t just about where you are.

Our algorithm takes into account all of the users who are in the app and where they are in relation to each other. When a new user opens the app, we determine which people to put them with based on various heuristics.  Unlike many location services, we think the organizing principle should be around people, not GPS coordinates. The room algorithm is dynamic, so less dense areas will still have a positive experience. Therefore we target a manageable number of people per conversation.

In order to avoid abuse by users hiding behind Internet anonymity, Yobongo will allow users to sign in using Facebook Connect or to create a Yobongo account. Elston explains that they will check all accounts for legitimate names and photos, similar to how Facebook does, saying that they believe that “real identity is critical to fostering real communication.”

Serendipitous Connections

This certainly isn’t the first attempt we’ve seen at solving the puzzle of serendipitous meetings. Last year, we wrote about a service called Meet Gatsby that approached a similar problem. The idea behind it was simple – you listed your interests and, whenever you checked in using Foursquare, if someone else had recently checked in nearby and had similar interests, it would text you. In theory, it sounded great, but in practice I (for one) found at that a whole lot of people like bikes, beer and the Internet. Now, listing these general interests may have been my fault, but it’s also not necessarily the case that with every Foursquare check-in you’re looking to make a new friend. With Yobongo, you only open the app with the express intent of chatting and potentially meeting with complete strangers in relative proximity.

So, where do we actually see Yobongo getting used? At something like SXSW, there are a thousand crowded rooms full of people who may or may not actually have something to say to each other. At times, it can feel like you’re a ball in a pinball machine, as you bounce from one person to another. Perhaps Yobongo could help act as that initial filter. Rather than talking to whoever catches your eye or happens to be standing in the same line, Yobongo could help connect you with someone who shares similar interests or intentions.

Outside of techie events like SXSWi, Yobongo could be useful in a variety of situations. The group dynamic could make it easier to make initial contact with strangers and find out if there’s any reason to go beyond chatting in an iPhone app. With something like Foursquare, your only real choice is a face-to-face interaction. Unfortunately, we haven’t gotten to play with it yet, so it’s all speculation, but we’re looking forward to seeing how it works.

Elston has offered priority access to ReadWriteWeb readers and the first invites should be sent out today.

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the gambling and blockchain industries for major developments, new product and brand launches, game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to in-house staff writers with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest iGaming headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Gambling News

    Explore the latest in online gambling with our curated updates. We cut through the noise to deliver concise, relevant insights, keeping you informed about the ever-changing world of iGaming and its most important trends.

    In-Depth Strategy Guides

    Elevate your game with tailored strategies for sports betting, table games, slots, and poker. Learn how to maximize bonuses, refine your tactics, and boost your chances to beat the house.

    Unbiased Expert Reviews

    Honest and transparent reviews of sportsbooks, casinos and poker rooms crafted through industry expertise and in-depth analysis. Delve into intricacies, get the best bonus deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guides.