Plazes: Micro Blogging + Location

Plazes is a new micro blogging platform based in Germany that allows users to geotag exactly where they are, or where they plan on being in the future and announce what they’re up to. While similar to Twitter, Plazes is unique in that it also connects users updates and comments to a structured object - their place on a map - allowing users to not only browse by contacts, but also by location. Kind of like a mashup between Twitter and Socialight.

One of the key functions of Plazes is it’s convenient updating, all you have to do is text in the place you’re at and if it’s in the Plazes database, they can locate you. In the future you will also be able to IM your location or use GPS.

The system is free and their current business model is dependent on advertising as well as utilizing the data from where people geotag themselves. But, integrating with other social networking sites has also helped the company grow. They’re created a customizable flash map that easily integrates with blogs and MySpace Profiles to show users current location as well as their past location. The sites reads, “Think of it as your personal satellite feed for your friends and readers.”

Because Plazes revolves around actual “structured objects,” Felix Petersen, founder of Plazes believes it has more of a sense of permanence and community than sites like Twitter.

Plazes