CafeSync

CafeSync is a location-based "card" sharing service that connects you to those around you. Whether you are a business, artist, musician, or any other person who needs to get noticed, CafeSync aims to make it easier.

How it works:

Using GPS or Wifi connections, you leave your footprint wherever you go, and as you go you will pick up other users' cards and/or leave your own. These cards are designed to put you in the best light possible by letting you choose what the other users see. By connecting your social networking services to the card you share, you can give possible employers, customers, or fans a quick and easy way to find out about you. Or, if you would rather, just go incognito and collect cards without sharing your own.

There are two search areas: "Passersby" (who is around you and who you passed that day) and "Area" (which includes everyone in a 30-50 mile radius). Whether you are looking or wanting to be found, you know that those looking at your card are in the same area, or, if you are on the road, interested in similar things based on their locations.

Timed deletion: As the service grows, there will be times when you are inundated with new cards. Thankfully, CafeSync will get rid of unsaved cards after 72 hours from your list. Of course, you can always delete them sooner if you so choose.

Saved cards: Once you save a card, you will find it in the Contacts area of the application. In future versions, you will be able to send connection requests and chat with those who accept the request.

Never out of date: One of the biggest issues with contact lists, or business cards, is that at some point the information provided is no longer valid. In a world that changes as quickly as the weather, it is imperative that your contacts stay up-to-date. With CafeSync, that's exactly how it works.

Swapping: Sometimes you want to make sure you get someone's card safely stored in your contacts area before the end of a conversation. With CafeSync, this is made easy by using the swap feature represented by the CafeSync "Synced Cups." Wherever you see this icon you can generate a one-time code to share your card (or any card) to any CafeSync user, or accept a card by inputting its one-time code. Once the code is entered on the recipient's app, the card is saved in their contacts, so there is no need worrying about loosing their card before getting back to the office the next day.

We are still in the early days, so if you download this app be sure to tell your friends and colleagues about it--as that will be the only way the service will really shine.