14 DAY TRIAL // MyVirtualNeighbor today formally announced an update to its MVN iOS app, which adds two new modules - "Chilling Here" and "Photo Sharing." It appears that said update is yet to go live on the iTunes App Store (at the time of this writing).
The "Chilling Here" module allows users to invite neighbors and contacts to join at local places. Users can "check in" just like on Facebook.
Amit Mehta, founder of the MyVirtualNeighbor site, explains, "I check in at local pub 3 blocks down from where I live, I could inform all my neighbors – one or all - with just one click inviting them to join me for a drink. I also have the ability to invite non My Virtual Neighbor users that are my contacts to meet up."
The "Photo Sharing" module is even more exciting. But you need to be careful what you take shots of, because it lets you instantly share anything you’ve snapped - sort of like iCloud’s Photo Stream, only this photo stream can be viewed by all your friends, instantly!
Not only can your neighbors see the pictures in real time, they can make comments too.
There’s an added benefit - it helps you fight crime, says Mehta, “Having recently partnered up with Crime-Stoppers, the Photo Sharing app can help reduce crime in the neighborhood.”
“Taking pictures with your phone and sharing it in real time by uploading them to your neighborhood wall, is indeed a great way to prevent or catch criminals one's neighborhood,” he said.
"Examples are maybe you see a stranger in a neighborhood, see a cool deal at a restaurant, lights are left on, see a strange vehicle never in your area, there's no end to it… you simply snap a photo with your phone, upload it to your neighborhood wall, and like magic, everyone is immediately notified to whatever you want them to be aware of," said Amit.