The April 2009 merger of mobile entertainment community Limbo and social networking applications provider Brightkite created a location-based mobile social network of impressive scope and reach, serving more than two million unique monthly visitors and processing more than 50 million text messages each month. Chalk up Brightkite's appeal to its egalitarian aims: The free application emphasizes a simple, intuitive user experience, not to mention an agnostic approach to devices and carrier networks.
The basic concept is simple as well: Brightkite users "check in" at a location either via the web or SMS, posting notes and photos about what's going on or browsing what other users are posting in the same spot--the focus in on real-world, real-time interaction, not virtual communication. And while the whole point of the endeavor is to meet people, Brightkite users maintain control over their privacy settings to limit the extent of information they share.
Brightkite.com
