Savvy social networkers know that there's more to your iPhone than just the ubiquitous Facebook or the over-hyped Twitter. There are social network tools for almost every interest out there - from the diehard foodie to the photography buff. The familiar sharing of links, thoughts, pictures and other media can now be focused down for specific groups of friends, family or groups. If you want to expand your horizons and meet new people or just get to know your current friends better, consider some of these popular mobile social networking solutions with a twist.
Foodspotting
So it's yet another Friday night where you can't decide where to go to eat. No one wants anything in particular. Check out one of the most innovative social network apps - Foodspotting. Foodspotting shows pictures of various dishes that actual customers near your mobile phone location have taken at local restaurants and commented on. This also works if you're looking for a particular type of food - like burgers - and want to see which ones look the most appetizing.
One of the coolest functions of Foodspotting is the guides function. Guides are written by users. Although anyone can write a guide, most only exist in major cities. But if you're living in or vising a large city and you're interesting in taking your own food-based tour, check it out. You'll be able to find food trucks in Austin or discover the best tea in Philidelphia.
If you're looking for other location-based check-in applications (like Foursquare, Gowalla, etc.), see Mobile Social Networking Check-in Apps for Sharing and Discounts for comparisons and recommendations. Foodspotting works well with Foursquare and can also post your dining activity to Facebook and Twitter.
Tumblr
Seen a funny or themed blog on the Internet lately? It's probably run by Tumblr, the blogging service for people who don't really want to blog. Traditional blogs are lots of words - usually thought of as a diary of some sort (whether it's of your everyday life, a particular passion or something related to your industry).
But Tumbr is a great way to publish your own thoughts, observations and interests. It also supports media - such as videos and pictures - extremely well, making it the social networking platform of choice for people publishing serial, themed photo blogs. The platform also makes it easy to find other like-minded bloggers with its easy-to-use "reblog" tool.
Looking for inspiration? Check out these themed Tumblrs:
- Sandwiches: Scanwiches
- Culture and technology: Laughing Squid
- 80s Nostalgia: I'm Remembering
- Comics: Garfield without Garfield
- Charts: I Love Charts
- Art: Eat, Sleep, Draw
Google Plus
Google Plus is the answer to the complaints of privacy invasions from Facebook. While the social networking application works similarly to Facebook (with a "feed" called a "stream," for instance), Google Plus follows the Twitter-like unreciprocated follow technique. You can follow interesting people without having to convince the other person to reciprocate.
The entire concept of Google Plus is built around users building and curating "circles." Circles are specific groups of people that you may want to share with. The basic circles that Google starts you with include family and friends, but power users will quickly develop more robust circles. For instance, build a weight-loss support circle so you can share your accomplishment of resisting the donuts at work to people who care. A wedding planning circle allows busy brides to get relevant information out to either wedding party or guests quickly and easily.
For unknown reasons, one of the best features of Google Plus is only available in the company's iPhone application. "Huddles" are instant chats with a variety of people that you've designated - whether it's a circle or an even more select group of friends. Think of Huddles like group text messaging - except they're free and you can always follow the conversation because you see all replies in the same conversation thread.
Heidi DeVries - Heidi DeVries was a resume screener for a communications firm and shares tips to secure an interview and be a successful job applicant.
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