One of these days, location based networks are going to wake up and realize their numbers and games are meaningless once Google or Facebook flips a switch. So far all of these companies keep targeting the early adopter, game-loving, geek crowd. People that will trade privacy for a mayorship.
Until these companies create a product that provides a real value to a niche, active audience, they’re living on borrowed time. The early adopter geek will jump ship for Google in a heartbeat.
Any of the following audiences would love a specialized service. Pick one and build your company. Hell, build it on top of Twitter. You’d be spending almost nothing and devoting most of your time to designing features within the interface:
- Bicyclists
- Interior designers
- Foodies
- College kids
- Truck drivers/delivery men
- Skiers
- etc.