It seems we can’t avoid social networking these days. It’s on our computers, tablets, e-readers and cell phones. Everywhere we go, people want to “like” us or “connect” with us. With the success of social networking apps like Facebook and Twitter, it’s no wonder Silicon Valley is eager to create the next great social media app. With all this socializing, there is a growing contingent of people tempted to sell cell phones for cash and abandon the social networking culture that is alive and thriving in America today.
Current Social Media
For those who want to connect, there is an endless array of apps and media on which to do it. If you just want to connect with people, there’s always Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Want to share photos, you can use Flickr and Instagram. You can check in at restaurants and local businesses with FourSquare and other social apps. These sites allow you to post reviews about the businesses you frequent. Almost every social app has its own chat function, so you can carry on conversations with every one of the people you’re connected to through your network.
Disconnect with Cloak
Cloak is a new app that will make you forget about wanting to sell your mobile phone because of its unique approach to social networking. Rather than connecting to every Tom, Dick and Harry, this app has an internal ‘hate-machine’ that accesses data from Instagram and Foursquare. This app actually alerts you so you can avoid running into people you’d rather not deal with in a regular basis. The app’s tagline is quite appropriately stated as “incognito mode for real life”?
How Does Cloak Work?
The app figures out “enemy” positions when they check in via Instagram or Foursquare. Then those positions are displayed on a green map for your city. When you look at the map, you can avoid areas where people you aren’t fond of are visiting. The map will only show locations, but the app also has a feature that lets you set up an alert when a “target” is approaching or gets within a certain distance of you. Creators Chris Bayer and Brian Moore may be adding information from other social media outlets that could give Cloak even more clout down the road. So before you swear off social media and decide to sell cell phones for cash, give Cloak a chance.
Benefits of Cloak
The app is meant to be more of parody of social networking than a true anti-social app. Still, it could be used in a number of beneficial ways that will keep you from wanting to sell cell phones for cash:
- Know the whereabouts of your mother-in-law and avoid her.
- Keep tabs on your teenagers without having to stalk them.
- Keep tabs on your parents without them finding out you’re not really doing your homework.
- Avoid ex-girlfriends and ex-boyfriends.
You probably have at least one person in your life you would rather avoid. Cloak is a great way to use your phone to avoid being social, which is definitely a refreshing change of pace when compared to all the apps that try to force you to be social.
