Posted by Christopher Stevenson
Every once in a while, someone comes up with an idea that takes social media to the next level. MySpace did it. So did Twitter. Now there's Poken. (Hat tip to Cameron Herold.)
Like business cards, Poken allows you to exchange your information with others, but instead of just providing name, phone number, address, and e-mail, Poken helps you exchange your profile information from social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. How does it work? Each time you meet someone, who coincidentally also carries a Poken (which is an animal-shaped fob with a giant hand), just touch the Pokens hand-to-hand to transfer your profile information. Later, plug the Poken's freakishly large hand, which is really a USB device in disguise, into any Internet-enabled computer to upload your new friend's data to your Pokens page. Easy.
What do I like about it? Pokens help bridge the gap between online social media tools and real-life interaction and they make it easy. Rather than having to search for someone you met at a networking event in LinkedIn, all you'll need to do is upload your Pokens data. It's something that's been missing from social media until now.
What do I think is stupid? The silly animal shapes are great for junior high girls exchanging their Facebook info, but I wouldn't be caught dead asking someone to touch hands with my monkey at a business meeting. Plus, while the technology is cool, Pokens only work effectively if everyone you meet has a Poken--they won't.
Next steps? How about Pokens-enabled cell phones? It's the only way I can figure the Pokens model will work.
Do you Poken?
