Web App Ideas: #1 - LocalBean Sunday, October 21, 2007
Time to try to stem the brain crack addiction–I’m going to get some of my ideas for web apps into the world. If 37signals can do it, so can I.
If someone wants to take any of these ideas and run, so be it. I guess this might also be a cry for the lazy web. A note of credit back here would be nice. Please ask permission if you want to use any of the names (especially since I probably own the domain already).
Idea #1: LocalBean - find local coffee shops where you are.
When I’m traveling (or moving to a new place), I like to find non-chain coffee shops to hang out and leach some wi-fi. This isn’t as easy as it might sound. Sometimes even the locals don’t know where cool coffee shops are.
The idea for this app is to have an easy way to type in a ZIP code or otherwise browse to find independent coffee shops in the area. Users would be able to both enter new shops and rate existing ones. Photos would be pulled in by Flickr photos tagged a specific way. Shops could also be categorized / tagged to show what kind of goods were offered: specialty coffee, food, local roasting, etc.
An iPhone/iPod Touch optimized version would be really helpful–probably more so than the full-sized version.
October 22nd, 2007 at 7:01 am
I’ve always thought this was a good idea. I’m all ready to load in the Charleston local coffee shops–just let me know!
October 22nd, 2007 at 7:22 am
Go, Trey! Good to see your “bloggin’”! Yes, I’ve liked this idea, too.
May 24th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I don’t mean to rain on your parade, but Google Maps beat you to this 3 years ago. Just bring up Google Maps, click “find businesses”, then enter “coffee shop” and your ZIP. The upside is you can find a lot more than just coffee shops.