Loopt (News - Alert), an emerging provider in the social mapping market, has announced that the 1.1 version of Loopt will come equipped with a new opt-in feature, “Loopt Mix,” available for purchase from the Apple (News - Alert) App Store.

 

Loopt Mix taps into location-based services to allow iPhone (News - Alert) users to find and meet new people nearby.

 

"We hear from our users all the time that they want to use Loopt to meet new people in addition to keeping up with their current circle of friends," said Sam Altman (News - Alert), co-founder and CEO of Loopt. "With the introduction of Loopt Mix, iPhone users can quickly search for interesting people around them and then easily contact them to meet up in person. Currently, it's very easy to connect with people and groups with similar interests and hobbies online, but now Loopt is leveraging the power of location to bring that experience mobile and into the real world."

 

Loopt allows people to connect with their friends and now with Loopt Mix, it will help people make new friends. Through Loopt Mix, users can also meet new people around them at a conference, in a club, or in their neighborhood. This is achieved by allowing users to create a customized public profile, browse nearby profiles, and even search by shared interest and community membership. When users send messages to other the user's full name, exact location, e-mail address or phone number is not disclosed. Other safety precautions include the ‘report abuse’ and ‘block other users’ options.

 

Online communities can also leverage Loopt Mix to help their users connect in the real world. Some of Loopt's community launch partners include TechCrunch, imeem, Rock the Vote and NRDC's It'sYourNature.org. Loop Mix users can add these brand badges to their profiles and get in touch with like-minded community members.