I admit that at times I’ve taken him for granted, underestimated his capabilities, and used him to get ahead. I haven’t always taken the best care of him, and I only pay attention to him when I need something. Sounds like a typical girlfriend, right? Actually, I’m referring to my relationship with my Apple iPhone. As I approach my 2-year anniversary with the iPhone, I begin to think that our relationship could use a little spicing up, and what better way to add a spark to our relationship than downloading some new apps.
One of the best capabilities of the iPhone is the availability of thousands of applications, better known as apps, to be downloaded with the touch of your finger. From Zynga’s Word Scramble to Zippo’s Virtual Lighter, the iTunes App Store covers a wide range of games and services that aim to entertain and inform users. While a variety of applications force users to pay a fee for their services, overall they are usually very inexpensive, some free, making them extremely accessible to consumers.
I recently read an article about an iPhone app called Bump, which is a way for people to exchange business information by simply tapping their iPhones together. The app acts as a digital business card in which users input personal information such as name, phone number, address, email and even pictures. When the application is open on two iPhones or iPod Touches, the devices can be held in the fist and bumped together. An exchange of information transfers from one phone to the other via location-based technology and WiFi. As of now, this application is free and has proven to be an effective business partner for those who have tested its waters.
While Bump is a convenient aid to those who acquire the app, it’s not feasible to assume that the days of carrying business cards are over. What about those who don’t have an iPhone or iPod Touch? Or how about those who do have one of these devices but don’t know about the Bump application? The “Share Bump” feature on the iTunes App Store allows people to send links to anyone via email, which spreads the word to potential users fairly easily. However, it appears to be a little too early to throw out our traditional business cards to rely solely on the aid of Bump to exchange contact information.
Another questionable obstacle to the Bump app is how to appropriately ask a potential client or business partner if she or he would like to Bump. While the name of the app is fitting for the interaction that takes place between phones, the innuendos that could be associated with the term “bumping” could turn a formal meeting into a disaster. However, I believe when put in the right context, the action of Bumping with a business associate is a very personal way to interact and could be somewhat of an icebreaker and the first step to building a long lasting business contact.
Privacy is always a concern when it comes to exchanging personal contact information. Unless you have your information open on your phone and hit it against a device with the app also open, the user’s information is completely secure. Contact information cannot be exchanged any other way via Bump. The chances of accidental Bumping should not discourage anyone from taking advantage of this service, because it is highly unlikely.
I’ve found Bump to be one of the most relevant apps in terms of social networking available in the iTunes App Store today. While apps for other networking sites like Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter are available free of charge, Bump was recently ranked as the top social networking tool available from the iTunes App Store. Although as of today only a limited amount of information can be exchanged via Bump, the platform has already been established with a growing user base. Simple and personable, Bump is an effective and fun way for business professionals to exchange their most important contact information.
One of the best capabilities of the iPhone is the availability of thousands of applications, better known as apps, to be downloaded with the touch of your finger. From Zynga’s Word Scramble to Zippo’s Virtual Lighter, the iTunes App Store covers a wide range of games and services that aim to entertain and inform users. While a variety of applications force users to pay a fee for their services, overall they are usually very inexpensive, some free, making them extremely accessible to consumers.
I recently read an article about an iPhone app called Bump, which is a way for people to exchange business information by simply tapping their iPhones together. The app acts as a digital business card in which users input personal information such as name, phone number, address, email and even pictures. When the application is open on two iPhones or iPod Touches, the devices can be held in the fist and bumped together. An exchange of information transfers from one phone to the other via location-based technology and WiFi. As of now, this application is free and has proven to be an effective business partner for those who have tested its waters.
While Bump is a convenient aid to those who acquire the app, it’s not feasible to assume that the days of carrying business cards are over. What about those who don’t have an iPhone or iPod Touch? Or how about those who do have one of these devices but don’t know about the Bump application? The “Share Bump” feature on the iTunes App Store allows people to send links to anyone via email, which spreads the word to potential users fairly easily. However, it appears to be a little too early to throw out our traditional business cards to rely solely on the aid of Bump to exchange contact information.
Another questionable obstacle to the Bump app is how to appropriately ask a potential client or business partner if she or he would like to Bump. While the name of the app is fitting for the interaction that takes place between phones, the innuendos that could be associated with the term “bumping” could turn a formal meeting into a disaster. However, I believe when put in the right context, the action of Bumping with a business associate is a very personal way to interact and could be somewhat of an icebreaker and the first step to building a long lasting business contact.
Privacy is always a concern when it comes to exchanging personal contact information. Unless you have your information open on your phone and hit it against a device with the app also open, the user’s information is completely secure. Contact information cannot be exchanged any other way via Bump. The chances of accidental Bumping should not discourage anyone from taking advantage of this service, because it is highly unlikely.
I’ve found Bump to be one of the most relevant apps in terms of social networking available in the iTunes App Store today. While apps for other networking sites like Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter are available free of charge, Bump was recently ranked as the top social networking tool available from the iTunes App Store. Although as of today only a limited amount of information can be exchanged via Bump, the platform has already been established with a growing user base. Simple and personable, Bump is an effective and fun way for business professionals to exchange their most important contact information.
As a working professional in rural Western NY, I downloaded the Bump App a few months ago as more of an experiment than an intended business tool. Like many apps, I think Bump may be a more practical tool for a city slicker than a country bumpkin, ironically enough. Regardless of the intended audience for Bump, the potential for people from all demographics to take advantage of this app is just one of its many attractive features.
This blog was inspired by following article published by Michael Dinan, TMCnet Editor:
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