iFob 2.0 real-space social networking for the iPhone

Mobile social networking is booming and we see new entrants hitting the market every day. iFob 2.0 is an interesting service that will enable iPhone owners to location other iFob users around themselves, start conversation and take it from there. The so called “real-space-real-time” approach uses GPS-like cell-tower triangulation and WiFi to sense iBuddies in the neighbourhood.

iFob is unique software which uses the built-in Wi-Fi communication of Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) iPhone, iPods and PCs, and turns these devices into homing beacons, broadcasting, or just listening, for other close-by copies of iFob. With iFob, people create tiny social networking profiles that are carried around on their iPhone or PC, which are easily changed depending on the situation and presence of other iFob users who are close by. Unlike social networking sites such as Facebook or My Space, iFob only displays lists of iFob users who are actually in the same hotspots at the same time as each other, meaning that iFob users will be close enough to look up and exchange smiles. iFob is used as an icebreaker to real conversations.

iFob PC version is already available on iCloseBy.com, a site of the company behind the project. iPhone version is currently awaiting Apple’s approval to be distributed through the AppStore for free. In the meantime, you can download the application for jailbroken iPhones/iPod Touches is also available.