Social media and real time networking sites such as Twitter have profoundly changed the way people communicate with one another, but it’s not without its drawbacks. For instance, it’s possible to stay in touch with hundreds of friends — but never step out of your apartment. MagnetU is out to change that by taking social media back to the streets.

MagnetU is a tiny wireless gadget that has a relatively short range. First, you must create a MagnetU profile on the Internet, complete with your personal characteristics and interests. Once you got that down, you go out and take the MagnetU device wherever you go.

Then, when the device picks up another MagnetU user in the area with similar interests as yours, it’ll send an SMS to your mobile phone giving you the person’s characteristics and vicinity. The other person also gets an alert about you, and then it’s up to you whether to call them up now or connect via Facebook later… which sort of defeats the purpose, don’t you think?

Sounds promising, I’ll admit, but that depends on whether the MagnetU idea catches on. I imagine a LOT of people have to be carrying this around outdoors if I hope to meet a pretty woman who likes the Discovery Channel anytime soon. But if that doesn’t work out, there’s always beer.

Via: Switched