BlueFriend: Using Bluetooth technology for mobile social networking

Abstract

In this paper we present BlueFriend, a novel application for mobile devices that takes advantage of Bluetooth functionalities to create mobile social networks. Our application runs on PDAs and smart phones equipped with a Bluetooth adapter. BlueFriend periodically scans the environment in search of other members of the BlueFriend community; when found, "virtual personal cards" (VPCs) are exchanged with information about user profile, user preferences and likes/dislikes to assess the degree of matching among nearby users. High degrees of matching result in the exchange of personal information and contact details so that connected users are aware of how to reach each other in the future.