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The app enables you to do just one thing and do it quickly: simply put, it's a way to beam your "electronic" business card to someone via SMS, and, in turn, request someone's contact info using the same system.
We recommend signing up for the free service before heading out for SXSW festivities. Below, we've posted a brief Q&A with Dave, one of the folks behind this nifty new app.
What sparked the idea for Contxts?
Ironically, it was about 4 SXSWs ago—I'd wanted an easy and unique way to share my contact info. Back then, I had just set up an SMS template and would text it directly to the person...no logging or anything.
When I returned home from SX that year, I built a little interface (essentially what you seen today, minus the sexy) that would let me setup myself and some friends with cards. A few months ago, I dusted it off and put a nice customer friendly interface on it. Glad I did!
(After the jump, we discuss some privacy issues
How has the initial response been? Has there been any interest from other countries for this tool?
We just kind of put it out there a few months ago. We've had a huge and positive response so far, especially leading up to SXSW.
Currently, Contxts works only for people on US mobile carriers, but we are pursing some international possibilities.
One of our recent interview subjects made the claim that nothing was worth doing unless it somehow improved people's lives. Does Contxt jive with this philosophy?
Contxts absolutely simplifies the process of following up after receiving cards, especially at an event like SXSW. I know in years past, I go home with a PILE of cards, all people I fully intended to follow up with. Contxts makes it one-click-easy to follow up via email, facebook, LinkedIn, etc.
Do you guarantee the security of your users' information? Will it ever be sold to a third-party, or is this strictly for their use?
Excellent question. YES. All users information is securly stored and will NEVER be shared with any third parties. Obviously, we send contact info to those who requested it via Contxts ... but NEVER to an ominous overlord.
Would you qualify this as another form of social networking or a bridge between social networks and the outside world?
The goal of Contxts is to be dead simple. We don't want to be yet another social network. We just want to let people quickly share info and hopefully quickly connect on all of their existing social networks.
From an entrepreneurial perspective, how does a project like this make money for the developer, since the net cost to the user is free (apart from standard SMS charges)?
We will be offering the ability to have multiple "cards" in the future—one user interface/phone with multiple cards. This will be the premium account, and will be priced somewhere in the neighborhood (don't hold me to this!) of $25/year. It's been requested by many users and something they said they would pay for.
So how do our readers get in on this?
Simply go to contxts.com and sign up! It's free!
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