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Proximity-Based Social Media App

Inspirations

The inspiration behind our social media app comes from the fundamental human desire to connect and form meaningful relationships. In a world where technology often isolates us, we wanted to create a platform that uses technology to bring people closer together in real life. The idea was sparked by observing how often individuals cross paths every day without realizing the potential connections they could make. By leveraging proximity technology, we aim to transform these missed connections into opportunities for networking, friendship, and community building.

What it does

Our app uses location services and Bluetooth technology on users' devices to track how often they cross paths with others. Once two users have crossed paths a certain number of times (e.g., 15), the app notifies them and offers the option to "connect." This unique approach encourages users to expand their social network based on real-life interactions and shared paths, rather than solely online interactions. It's designed to foster a sense of community and belonging by connecting people who share similar routines or frequent the same places.

How we built it

The app was developed using React Native for the front-end to create a seamless and responsive user experience across both Android and iOS platforms. For the back-end, we chose Python due to its versatility and efficiency in handling back-end logic and MongoDB Atlas for our database needs, leveraging its scalability and ease of integration with Python. This combination allowed us to efficiently process and store user location data while ensuring the app remains responsive and reliable.

Challenges we ran into

One of the most significant challenges we faced was enabling Bluetooth connectivity within the app, especially on iOS devices. React Native, while powerful for cross-platform development, presented obstacles in accessing and managing Bluetooth permissions and functionality due to iOS's strict privacy and security guidelines. Overcoming these hurdles required extensive research, trial and error, and custom native code integration to ensure the app could reliably use Bluetooth technology for proximity detection on all devices.

Accomplishments we're proud of

Successfully integrating location and Bluetooth technologies to track user interactions based on proximity.
Developing a cross-platform app that provides a consistent and engaging user experience on both Android and iOS.
Overcoming technical challenges related to Bluetooth connectivity, particularly on iOS devices, ensuring privacy and security are maintained.
Creating a platform that encourages real-world interactions and networking based on shared experiences and paths.

What we learned

This project was a profound learning experience for our team. We deepened our understanding of React Native and its capabilities in developing cross-platform applications. We also gained valuable insights into working with Bluetooth and location services, especially the intricacies of managing these technologies on different operating systems. Moreover, we learned about the importance of privacy and security in apps that use sensitive user data, such as location and Bluetooth data.

What's next?

Short Term

Enhance the app's matching algorithm to include user interests and preferences, making connections even more meaningful.
Improve the user interface and experience based on user feedback to make the app more intuitive and engaging.
Expand the app's functionality to include events and gatherings for users who have connected, encouraging real-life interactions.
Attend more hackathons :)

Long Term

Explore partnerships with local businesses and venues to offer users benefits and encourage meetups.
Implement augmented reality features to enrich the user experience and offer innovative ways to connect.
Focus on global expansion to bring the app's unique approach to networking and community building to more users worldwide.