Fly your Brightkite: free invites | CLT Blog

Fly your Brightkite: free invites

Posted on 5 May 2008 by Jason Keath

This entry was cross-posted at DesignCharlotte.org.

Yeah, I know, “Another social networking site?”

Bear with me. BrightKite.com has a cool twist. Think Twitter (network-based micro-blogging) combined with Google Maps. The short of it is you can see your network on an actual map.

“Brightkite enables location-based community and friendships on the fly. Discover social communities around your favorite venue, restaurant, park etc… Explore who is there, who was there, what they are saying, photos are posting, etc.”

Brightkite.com


And, yes, you have complete control over showing where you are (if at all) and to whom. Also, there are certain cell phones and services that have rolled out similar services, but Brightkite is the first one that crosses over to all the networks and cellphones, and works without a cellphone through their network.

The site launched less than two weeks ago, and you have to get an invite to take part for now. It has taken off just through invites, with no marketing yet. I see cool potential here and want to see Charlotte take part as a community of early adopters. The more locals on the site, the more fun the site will be for everyone.

More details:

  • update your location as an address, zipcode, city, longitude/latitude, etc.
  • update via email, website, or through the simplest text messaging
  • iPhone owners have been a big part of Brightkite’s early growth
  • an iPhone site is coming soon
  • GPS integration is coming (maybe when the GPS-enabled iPhone 2.0 drops)
  • API is coming very soon (within a couple of weeks)
  • target demographic was 15–25 year old, but has had larger than expected 25+ growth
  • a couple early hiccups include major Verizon issues and T-Mobile lagging

Leave a comment below, make sure we have your email address, and we’ll send you an invite. Or send us a DM on Twitter @cltblog. Thanks to BrightKite for giving us a few extra invites for the Charlotte area!

Filed: City, Technology

Comments

  1. Gbazell 5 May 2008 at 9:13 PM

    I’d like a brightkite invite please. Thanks!

  2. John 5 May 2008 at 9:14 PM

    Great post Jason!

  3. efrain 5 May 2008 at 9:22 PM

    Hey, I’d like to try it out. May I have an invite?

    :: efrain

  4. Avatar of Justin Ruckman
    Justin Ruckman 5 May 2008 at 9:37 PM

    Gbazell & efrain, sent.

  5. Rich Barrett 5 May 2008 at 9:44 PM

    Hey guys. I love your site, by the way. If you have any more BK invites I’d sure love to try it out.

  6. Ben 5 May 2008 at 11:10 PM

    Would love an invite. This looks like a cool concept. GPS could make or break their success.

  7. Kayla 6 May 2008 at 7:51 AM

    If you have invites left, I’ll take one too. Thanks!

  8. Bryan 6 May 2008 at 1:51 PM

    I’d love a brightkite invite if you still have any left…

  9. Avatar of Justin Ruckman
    Justin Ruckman 6 May 2008 at 2:45 PM

    Rich, Ben, Kayla & Bryan: sent

  10. Andrew 6 May 2008 at 8:53 PM

    I love posts like this. Actually, I love all of CLT Blog’s posts. Would like one too please!

  11. Ben 7 May 2008 at 10:15 PM

    Thanks for the invite! I’m loving it already!
    http://brightkite.com/people/benmarvin/

  12. Lane 7 May 2008 at 11:40 PM

    Hi,

    Can I get one too?

  13. Avatar of Justin Ruckman
    Justin Ruckman 8 May 2008 at 2:16 AM

    Andrew: sent, Lane: on its way soon

  14. Mary 11 May 2008 at 7:19 PM

    I would LOVE one … any left?? Oh thank you thank you thank you!!

    Mary

  15. Joe 13 May 2008 at 4:20 PM

    I’m late to the party. Feel free to send an invite if any are left! Thanks!

  16. Thomas 14 May 2008 at 3:59 PM

    I would definitely like to check it out as well if any are left. thanks!