I'm a big fan of this concept and have tested a few different variations to this approach Linq Band for Apple Watch (but the card version) and Znaplink 2.0 (again the card version).
Living in Japan, Business Cards are still a big part of the culture and while using NFC cards created a "wooowww coool" effect, folks still wish they had something tangible with them to carry back.
If ur able to create a "digital" version of a business card that recipients could save, in addition to storing ur contact information that'd be amazing. Imagine you tap -> save contact info -> get prompted to receive a text (so they have to share their info with you too) -> then a text from the user's # sends a visual business card + a nice to meet u message.
Msg can be customized so that users can change it depending on the event they're going to. Just a thought but good luck and excited to see how Cirqle evolves.
@gabe Linq Band for Apple Watch is really clever. Right now if two users both have Cirqle Network downloaded, the contact information does get saved, but I like your idea for the scenario where the other person doesn't have Cirqle Network. There's still a lot to build!
Hi Product Hunt! I'm Kevin Xu, founder of Cirqle Network. I'm super excited to share it with you.
There's a huge selection of platforms to help people connect online but none to connect in-person, and if you're like me, you're not excited for a future of living in the metaverse. In-person connections are irreplaceable, and after a decade of the followers, feeds, friend request paradigm, I believe it's time for change.
Cirqle Network (aka Cirqle) is a social platform for in-person connections through a digital social card. You have to meet someone in-person first to connect on Cirqle (my friends compared it to a reverse Tinder). Just tap your Cirqle Device onto someone's phone to share your information via a personal webpage that you can easily customize through our app. The magic happens when that person also has Cirqle, and the two of you will be connected via the app.
This is just the beginning. The foundational technology for a next-genaration social network. We are actively building new features and iterating on bold ideas to build a better way to connect.
If you're interested in becoming an early user, we are sending out FREE Cirqle Devices. Just fill out this short 30s form: https://forms.gle/cWbACKRFf2wGPYsv9
Please join our Discord where you can discuss ideas, give feedback, and get support:
https://discord.gg/3TjYjMgTUt
Useful info:
How it works: https://www.cirqlenetwork.com/pa...
Our products: https://www.cirqlenetwork.com/co...
Find us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YT: @cirqlenetwork
Find me on the internet: @kevinexyou
How does a physical card make social networking any better? I thought we moved away from business cards? I think Bump had an easier and more useful approach to near-field networking... without the need to carry an additional item.
@chrismessina I never had the chance to use Bump before it was discontinued, but I avoided GPS tracking since I wasn't sure how accurate it is. If multiple people were using Bump close together, could it accurately determine who was bumping with each other or did it bring up options to select?
NFC technology, which is what Cirqle Network uses, is a lot more secure and accurate than GPS and an accelerometer. If Apple allowed iPhones to emit NFC signals, I would opt for that, but unfortunately they don't, which is why I created these cards.
That being said, I do think there's value in small digital accessories like Cirqle Devices. We definitely moved away from the traditional business card "hardcoded" in ink, but I believe there is a lot of room for innovation and improvement in the space of personal digital accessories.
@kevinxu3 in terms of a digital accessory though, wouldn't jewelry (like a ring) be more likely to not be forgotten or lost?
Also, don't QR codes solve this problem too?
I'm just trying to understand the opportunity you see here, because getting people to adapt their behavior is one of the hardest things you can ever attempt.
@chrismessina Jewelry could definitely be something to consider! I also avoided QR codes since you don't have to be in-person to use them. I'm still debating on that though.
I've been told before changing people's behavior is very difficult and how easy this is to fail, which is why I'm taking it very slow.
The product as of right now is really a proof of concept. There is a huge gap in in-person social platforms or some form of "truly" social platform that actually enhances a person's social life and sense of community. You can tell this gap exists from the amount of companies created from this concept like BeReal.
Product Hunt
Cirqle Network
Cirqle Network
Raycast
Cirqle Network
Raycast
Cirqle Network