Of course no one would actually use the MingleStick in real life. I’ve got a similar application for the iPhone but I’ve never once thought to use it when I meet someone else with an iPhone. But for conventions, which seems to be the main market that its gunning for, I could see the goofy little point-and-click radio fob actually being fun.
Of course, web site copy like this is ill portent: “FAQ’s: Does the MingleStick work with all computers?
Coming soon….”
These things have their uses. At CES I was issued an electronic business card, which I was able to use at many booths rather than handing out actual cards. I still went through a sizable stack, but not like the Hong Kong shows where it seems like I have to swap cards with everyone I make eye contact with.
The really interesting thing about this widget is that it doesn’t seem to be a straightforward short-range RF transmission of personal details.
They say “Our revolutionary technology creates a connection between two MingleStick users without any permanent information exchanged. Not sure what contact information is right for the occasion? The MingleStick allows you to decide later! Protect your privacy and have peace of mind knowing that your email address, phone number, mailing address will be given to the right people at the right time. MingleStick users socialize and safely connect with others without any risk.”
Either this is utter bunk(unlikely, it would be a transparent lie) or the system actually works by exchanging some sort of per-minglestick GUID, rather than by exchanging the contact data. Presumably, the GUID is then correlated with such data as you wish to disclose in the (presumably internet connected) minglestick software. Guess what that means?
The Minglestick people would have to have knowledge of all personal details of participants, as well as knowing all pairings and the level of trust/disclosure in each one. That might well be worth rather more than whatever they plan to sell the chintzy USB widgets for.
PalmPilot supported this over a decade ago.
I don’t see what the big deal is, you could write an app for windows mobile that would run on your phone and use bluetooth to do exactly the same thing.
“MingleStick” just sounds a bit gross.