IRL and GeoMe Fuse Mobile and Web-based Social Networking

In Real Life (IRL), which claims to be  the only presence-based social networking company that adds presence to social networks and social media, and GeoMe, a mobile service that allows users to explore, share and connect via messages on a map, have announced  the creation of a central platform for location-based social networking services on both mobile phones and the web. IRL says this is the first time a web-based social network has partnered with a mobile, location-based social network, providing full access privileges across the two communities of users.
The partnership extends the services of the IRL Connect web-based social networking platform to the mobile, and brings GeoMe's expertise in delivering location-based solutions on mobile to the web. The combined platform features a social network toggle that allows IRL Connect and GeoMe members to seamlessly cross between communities. The companies say that both services bring the best of the mobile and web worlds to users, for an optimal social networking experience where they can access and exchange information and find friends online with the minimum of effort, rather than the walled garden format of many of today's mobile social networking services.
IRL Connect and GeoMe work with OpenSocial to exchange data between the mobile and the web. Users will have only one login to view their messages on both platforms. Furthermore, IRL Connect will be branded to fit the GeoMe brand and create access to the IRL Connect platform through Geo-Me.com.
Many competitors have their main focus on the mobile and then try to extend their service to the web by themselves, creating a web solution that is half-baked, says IRL CEO, Frank Schuil. By allowing aggregation with external parties, such as GeoMe, it is easier to grow our user base and give IRL Connect users the opportunity to explore the world of mobile social networking using the GeoMe platform. IRL Connect and GeoMe bring their own strengths in developing this central platform so that we can deliver the best experience and the best of both worlds to our users.
GeoMe is launching its public beta in February. IRL Connect members will be able to access the GeoMe service on mobile and on the web in Q2 2009.