Ask.com told us about the AskAround iPhone app a few days before SXSW 2011 but we really got a chance to see it in action at the conference.
The AskAround iPhone app is a location-based chat room. So, if you want to see what’s happening at a local bar that you’re in, you can fire up the app and see what people are saying.
You can also set the radius, so you can make sure the chat room is only for a tight group of people if you want. Yes, a cynic could say you could also just go up and talk to these people if they’re within close range but the chat room functionality allows for an orderly group conversation.
Group conversations were a big thing at SXSW 2011 and the AskAround iPhone app should eventually integrate that sort of thing. For now though, the program is just trying to spark conversations around places and I believe this is a good idea.
Using location as the starting point for questions is a brilliant idea. I was raving about the LocalMind service we saw because it was Quora meets Foursquare – you see who has checked in around you and shoot them questions.
Both of these location-based services are going to need scale to truly be useful and that’s a nut that’s tougher to crack than having a good idea and a slick UI. Ask.com still has some clout and weight, so let’s hope it pushes the AskAround iPhone app and brings it to other platforms quickly.
The app is available now for free and you should check it out. Watch our video below and let us know what you think in the comments. Of course, you can view all of our SXSW 2011 coverage here – there is some interesting and fun stuff there, I swear.