Yobongo app brings local chat to certain cities
updated 07:50 pm EST, Thu March 3, 2011
Plans to expand crowd-sourced local chat across US
Yobongo (not to be confused with Yojimbo) is a community-sourced chat application for the iPhone now available on the App Store. Currently only serving Austin (Texas), New York City and San Francisco, the company plans to expand service to other locations in the US soon. Yobongo automatically connects to people also running the app who are nearby, with community guidelines but no manual sign-in, no virtual "rooms" and no people users need to follow.
The program makes it easy to jump into a conversation, which has pictures associated with it in a very Twitter or IRC style. Users might simply ask a question, such as "is there a good sushi place in the downtown district?" and get answers and opinions from local strangers. Finding people who have things in common (users can optionally post a "bio") can lead to private conversations, adding and making friends -- but as a recommendation engine, a way to meet new people or just enjoy social conversation, Yobongo primarily focuses on those in the immediate vicinity. New users can use their Facebook login for credentials or create an account.
The application is free and requires iOS 3.1 or higher. It works with iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
