Kik App — No Pun Intended

Kik has become one of the leading companies in instant messaging, with over 6 million users worldwide. Along the way, the company faced a few legal problems over patent infringement with Research In Motion (RIM, makers of BlackBerry), but that hasn’t stopped the firm from continuing to grow. And now they’ve seen a new business venture on the horizon. Not only do they want users to be able to connect via their application, they also want to make a content-sharing application that will allow users to share documents with one another.

Kik to Start

The new API is designed to help users share content from one app to the same app on another device. With this API, there will be no need to utilize Facebook, Twitter, or emails to send links to open webpages. Users will be enabled to send each other restaurant reviews, drawings, and even gameplay levels. In order to do this, both users need to have Kik installed. If, however, a user doesn’t have the application, they will get a message prompting them to download it. How thoughtful.

Kik is also implementing an option called Apps That Kik in Kik Messenger, another thoughtful way to introduce you to other apps that are enabled by Kik. The new version of Kik Messenger became available on the 22nd of December and is currently compatible with Android and iOS devices. Kik is also working on having the API on FileKicker, DrinkOwl, Smiler, Zwonks, and FlyScreen.

Read More

Banjo Web App Makes Local Connections Even Easier

Half a million smartphone app downloads is a milestone many aspire to but few achieve—and one that Banjo has surpassed. And from all appearances, they are going full speed ahead. The Banjo app that lets you keep track of what’s going on in your neck of the woods is now available for all on the Web.

Dueling Banjo

Banjo pulls recent and current updates and location information from popular social standards Facebook, Twitter, and Foursquare. It then allows users to search by location and discover what is being said where and by whom. The beauty of the service is that you don’t need to be a user of social media sites to participate. Anyone with a smartphone (and now anyone with access to a web browser) can use the service to get a feel of the social pulse of potentially any place on the planet.

Read More

This year’s hottest New Year’s Eve party may be happening online.  The Facebook app “Shaker” has hooked up with Dick Clark Productions to create a virtual loft party that will be THE place to be, before the start of the ABC show “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2012.”

Haven’t received your invitation, yet?  Just head to Facebook, type “Shaker” into the search box, and then click on the RSVP button!  That’s all it takes to get into this hot-ticket pre-party, where you can dance, toss back a few virtual drinks, hang out with your friends, and catch some exclusive celebrity interviews.  Many of the performers scheduled to appear on the annual ABC show will be making appearances in the loft.  You can expect to see Fergie, Will.i.am, LMFAO, Blink 182, and more.

If you don’t want to commit until the last minute, that’s no problem at a Shaker function.  Virtual lofts can swell to hold as many people as needed, so you won’t be turned away at the door!  Check out the 3D virtual festivities anytime between 4PM – 8PM Eastern Time.  That’s right, the Shaker party ends when the show begins, which saves you from having to figure out the etiquette of virtual kissing at midnight.

What are your plans, tonight?

If you’re not sure, the answer could be as close as your Facebook page!  Everyone’s favorite social networking site is test running a new feature, designed to help you fill your social schedule.

It’s called “Suggested Events,” and it – well – suggests events that you may enjoy based on activities that you’ve taken part in previously.  For example – if you’ve been to a particular night club and have checked in using your Facebook account – then Facebook will notify you when the same venue has a new event coming up.  The idea is to create a profile based on each person’s tastes, preferences, and past excursions – making it easier to predict the type of upcoming events that one might be interested in.

Many critics of social networking say that people are spending more time online than they are socializing face-to-face with others.  Ironically, if Facebook’s latest feature takes off, it could encourage users to leave the comfortable glow of their computer screen and venture out into the real world.