There is just something about the inescapable awkwardness of ending conversations with people you've just met.
Say you're at a party and have really enjoyed speaking to someone — what do you do next? Do you ask for their number? Facebook? Snapchat? Instagram?
With the rising segregation of our identities into various streams of social media, it's often hard to gauge what information to share with whom. Knock Knock — a social networking app launched by Ankur Jain, co-founder of Humin, an intuitive contact management platform — has a ridiculously simple solution. Why not do away with the awkwardness altogether by creating a pre-set system for sharing information with people in your area with just a tap, or rather — knock?
The app — aimed at creating a conscious and controlled way of seamlessly sharing your contact information with new acquaintances — utilizes your smartphone's accelerometer, gyroscope and beacon technology via Bluetooth to create a mesh network with two simple knocks on your phone (even when it's locked).
Assuming that both parties have the app installed on their phone, a simple double-knock would open the app and a network of all the people around you (the default being that others can only see your first name). The app would work best during a social gathering, like a party, when you can set up the beacon to identify people you've met and want to see again. Although the idea works well in theory, relying so heavily on Bluetooth isn't great for your battery life.
"The easiest way to think about it is this. In a real life situation," Jain tells Engadget, "say you're at a conference. If you wave at someone, and they wave back, it's an invitation to talk and chat. At the end of that, you can leave and there's no commitment. Or you can choose how you want to stay in touch if you want to take it further."
Of course, even before entering these kinds of social situations, you can easily decide what information you'd like to share (maybe your Instagram and Twitter, but not your Facebook?).
The app also has a group feature that allows you to join any group with a knock — allowing for different members to connect with each other individually. Jain sees the feature being a great, low-commitment way of meeting new people for various reasons. Even for people who don't have Knock Knock on their phone, there is the possibility to consolidate and send contact information to them via text message, but that would obviously require getting a phone number first.
Akin to other apps, like Yik Yak, Knock Knock seems best suited for college students, who are often ambushed with new names and faces on a consistent basis.
"New social encounters can be both awkward and intimidating," Jain tells Tech Crunch. "Thinking back to my first week of college, I remember wishing there was a way to keep track and remember all of the new people I met."
Jain is the son of tech billionaire and philanthropist Naveen Jain. His connections with well-known celebrity personalities like Sir Richard Branson, Will.i.am and Sophia Bush led them to invest in his app and endorse it in a how-to video (see below).
All in all, Knock Knock is an interesting solution to a problem that is beginning to worry social media programs more and more: how can technology better emulate real social situations?
As of today, the app is available for download on both Android and iOS.
