AUSTIN, Texas, March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- South By
Southwest – One year after its unveiling at South by Southwest® (SXSW)
2011 as "Project Amicus," Blendr is back in Austin. Launched in September 2011, Blendr is the free,
location-based app that empowers users to discover those nearby
based on common interests and trending hot spots. In the spirit of
networking and socializing, SXSW attendees can use the app to chat
with fellow participants in real-time or to explore the local
scene.
With Blendr, SXSW-goers can:
- Browse for other SXSW attendees by downloading the app and
adding either social or professional interests. For example,
attendees can find and socialize with others who are interested in
gaming or rock music or meet other entrepreneurs by selecting those
interests within the app.
- Check in at nearby venues and keep up with the trending SXSW
spots with the Blendr Heat Map, which allows users to see who and
how many attendees are at the same spot.
- Network and socialize by starting a private instant-message
conversation via Blendr chat.
- Let their friends and followers know what they're doing at SXSW
by directly updating their status on other social networks, such as
Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare -- all from within Blendr.
"Since Blendr launched as a working concept during last year's
SXSW, we thought it apropos to harness the power of our
location-based technology to help attendees make the most of their
Austin experience," said
Joel Simkhai, Blendr's founder and
CEO. "In the six months that Blendr has been available to
consumers, the app has generated strong interest with users
globally, especially in the U.S., Australia and the United Kingdom, and particularly in metro
areas."
CEO Joel Simkhai at
SXSW
Simkhai will be on the ground at this year's SXSW as a speaker
for the "What's 'The Next Big Thing' in Social Networking?"
presentation on Friday, March 9th,
from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Austin Convention Center in Room 10AB. He will
share his insight into the evolution of the location-based app --
from a startup to a global brand -- and the introduction of Blendr.
Both Grindr and Blendr started out as nothing more than
ideas-turned-case-studies for how location-based mobile technology
has enriched social networking and helped drive brand equity.
Blendr, one of the most talked-about new apps on iTunes, has
been featured as "New and Noteworthy" and "Great Free App" in the
app store; it has also been highlighted as a staff favorite. Unlike
other social networks, which connect users to people they already
know, Blendr takes advantage of location-based technology and
real-time functionality to unite users looking for ways to discover
new people with common interests and pastimes.
The app is available for free on the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch
from the App Store or at Blendr.com/iTunes, and the Blendr Facebook app is
available at Blendr.com/FacebookApp. After downloading either
version, users can select from a wide array of interests, including
entertainment, technology or music and instantly connect with new
people in their area. To find out what's happening with Blendr, or
for the latest SXSW updates, follow @Blendr and
@Grindr
on Twitter, or check their Facebook pages.
About Blendr
Blendr is the first-of-its-kind geo-social network for everyone
to discover, meet and interact with new people nearby. The
location-based mobile app empowers users to make new social
connections with those nearby who share similar interests or a
common background or experiences. Blendr is available as an app on
Facebook, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
SOURCE Blendr