I've been testing Placetag, an iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad app introduced about six months ago on the iTunes App Store. At first, I must admit, I thought this was just another location-based social networking app like foursquare or Gowalla. It's not. And I'm looking forward to the Android version, due out before the end of the year.
Placetag is unlike other location-based social networking applications that reward you for a real-time check-in. Unlike the others, Placetag is all about connecting with others in the future. Placetag enables you to find people at places you visit. You set the location, date and time, then Placetag connects you with others who have similar plans and gives you an opportunity to learn something about a person you could meet in the future.
Suppose you're single looking to make a connection, or you travel for work and know you'll have an evening free after a day full of business meetings. Just input the city you'll be in, or search for a location like a restaurant, concert venue, gym or theater. Enter the timeframe you'll be there and you'll immediately see all the other Placetag users whose whereabouts and timeframes match yours. From there you can view profile photos, add other users as friends, arrange meet-ups and more. The interesting thing here is that you are doing this to plan a future meeting instead of letting your friends know where you are at that very moment.
As you know, I'm big on security and I've developed a comfort level with the Placetag security features that enable you to specify what others see of your profile and the locations you enter into the app. Additionally, since Placetag does not use GPS technology, you can set your preferences and be as visible or invisible as you desire.
Placetag also employs filters enabling users to filter information at the location you will be at to connect with other users of a certain age, or sexual orientation. You can also let others know whether you are interested in a date or just want to meet someone new who will keep you company after a hard day of work. And this feature is removed from the app if you are under the age of 18.
Placetag rolled out two different versions of the application. Placetag and Placetag Lite. The Lite version is fully functional, but you are limited to notifying a maximum of 5 friends about 2 locations you plan to be at in the future. The full paid version is being sold for a limited time at half off its original price and allows entry of up to 10 locations and an unlimited number of friends in your network and stored on your myFriends list.
I'm giving this app two thumbs up. Give the free “Lite” version a try and I'm guessing in a week or two you'll upgrade to the paid version like I did.
