ROXANA ASTEMBORSKI/Art & Design Editor
JULIS NAVARRO
Staff Writer
Where are you right now? That necessary question that precedes most cell phone conversations may soon become outdated with the emergence of a new social networking tool called “Loopt.” Gone are the days when one friend has to vocally confirm the location of another. With the services provided by Loopt, the mobile phone becomes a social compass with detailed maps that provide exact locations and status reports of your friends.
The difference between Loopt and most other social networks is the addition of real-time maps that can be accessed either through mobile phone or computer. Users have the option of using their phones or laptops to connect with their friends — whichever is more convenient.
Users can also opt to have alerts sent to their phones whenever a friend is near. Loopt takes the phrase “staying connected” to a whole new level. Lest it become all too suffocating to be in constant communication with everyone, Loopt allows users to hide their location from certain friends, as well.
“I think it is something that definitely shows the advancement of technology and the present-day convenience of keeping in touch with friends,” said freshman Gerilyn Manago. “But at the same time, I think it hinders peoples’ communication skills, especially when it comes to face-to-face encounters.”
Just like any other social network, Loopt enables users to send messages and photos to anyone on their contact list. Users have the option of having their location automatically attached to those text messages or photos. Another feature is the Loopt journal, which is a place for users to view recommendations of their friends’ favorite places and events around the neighborhood.
Dr. Linda Polin, Davidson Endowed Professor at the Graduate School of Education and Psychology, said Loopt appropriately targets youth with regard to cell phone use.
“This age group likes to reach out and touch, or ‘check in’ with their peeps, on a regular basis, even without a real message to convey,” she said. “There is a very strong sense of community and network fostered in large part by the availability of constant connection.” Polin’s research interests focus on learning and knowledge sharing in online communities. Although she has never used Loopt, she has used a similar service called “Dodgeball,” which allows her to find friends when at conferences or large social gatherings.
“Had I had Loopt in college, I’d have never gotten much work done, as I’d have been constantly on the prowl for an excuse to stop studying and find a buddy for coffee,” she said.
College students with time to spare in between afternoon classes could easily find an available friend who is close by to meet for lunch. Or imagine how much simpler it would be to locate a group of friends that have dispersed at a large shopping area. Such is the convenience of Loopt.
Dr. Chris Stivers, Seaver College Web Administrator and instructor of Digital Media, wonders if Loopt might be more problematic than convenient.
“Would a friend be upset if she noticed I were in her neighborhood and didn’t stop by for a visit,” he said. “If I forgot to change my settings to temporarily not provide my location, could I get into trouble for being in certain places?”
As with any new communication technology, users must forgo some privacy to gain heightened connectivity. But for junior Emma Wnuk, Loopt is a bit too intrusive for her taste. Wnuk said she thinks the Loopt technology might be more appropriate for parents who want to monitor the whereabouts of their children.
“I actually think the Loopt concept borders too closely to stalker status,” she said. “I would never use such a service, because where I go and what I do is my personal business.”
Senior Isabella Almazan and freshman Yukari Yamada both said they would probably not use the service.
“It’s a little bit freaky, almost like stalking. I don’t know if I would want everyone to know where I am,” Almazan said.
Loopt is a Silicon Valley-based startup founded by partners Sam Altman and Nick Sivo. According to the Loopt Web site, Altman was a sophomore computer science major when he first came up with the idea to have a map on his mobile phone that showed where all of his friends were.
The company launched its services in September 2006 with Boost Mobile. Currently, it is only available on the Sprint and Boost Mobile networks for $2.99 a month. Announcements will be made later this year as to when Loopt will expand its service to include other cell phone carriers.
“It’s cool, but kind of scary,” Yamada said. “I personally don’t think I need it.”
02-21-2008
