The fine folks behind PinpointsX bought a little ad-space on this site and asked me at the same time to take a peek at their product. I really can’t, I demurred, as I don’t have an iPhone. It doesn’t work on the Blackberry, does it?
“Doesn’t everyone have an iPhone?” they asked.
Alas they do not, so I can only imagine the joy of roaming about my fair city looking for hookups with my iPhone (or Droid) held in front of my face like an electronic sex-dowsing rod. Believe me: I can imagine it. It’s just too bad I can’t do it.
I can, however, take advantage of the web-based version of the product and on a chilly November afternoon I did just that. Registration is dead simple. You fill out a few questions, upload a photo, click a link in a verification email and immediately you can start browsing.
I was annoyed to find that one of non-optional registration questions is “weight.” I can’t imagine many folks who’d be thrilled to answer that. Moreover, the number on the scale all by itself could not be any less of an indicator of compatibility. Later you can specify a body type but this is only visible if a user clicks over to your full profile. In the initial map view only height and weight show up. My opinion? This should be reversed. Body shape should be required. Weight should be optional.
In the full profile you’re also given the chance to make some selections about what you’re looking for (one-on-one sex, group sex, discreet relationship) and a smallish handful of fetishes such as fisting, cross-dressing, leather and the like. There’s no way to write so much as a paragraph describing what you’re looking for. Just fill in the check-boxes and hope for the best.
With no Blackberry app I was limited to arm-chair browsing. Using the location I provided at sign-up (and which can be changed anytime) the system organized other members in my area onto a map from which I could view a few details of their profiles and send messages.
If you have the right phone, download the app (it appears to be free) and log in. Your phone’s GPS will locate other members in your area, placing them on a map along with a pop-up view of their basic information. See someone interesting? Click a button to send them a message. If they don’t respond, I suppose you could follow them around town without their ever knowing, vividly demonstrating the ever-thinning line between “interest” and “stalking.” View a demo of the whole process here.
If the free version’s not enough for you, choose one of three levels of enhanced packages ranging from a one-month option for $24.99 to a year-long option for $99.90. What do you get with a paid membership? Gosh, I wish I could tell you. Here’s what the site says: “full access and privileges with PinpointsX® cellular (mobile) application and correlative complementary adult-social-networking website.” What does this mean? Is it worth nearly a hundred bucks for a year? I’m just not sure.
According to the map, no more than a tiny handful of men use the service within an hour’s drive of my house — an area of some half-million souls. It’s possible that PinpointsX will catch on in my region, but until it does it would be a frustrating proposition to try locating a partner this way.
If I lived in a more densely populated area I’m still not sure I’d use PinpointsX. The last thing I’d want as I picked up my dry cleaning and shopped at the market would be a fleet of horny men trailing along in my wake.
I guess I’d just turn the service off unless I was properly primped and fresh in my ladybits — but even then would I dare to venture out exposed thusly? I just can’t picture it. Even in my most debauched fantasies I engage in significantly more screening than what’s allowed by PinpointsX. The idea of finding a man on a map and meeting him five minutes later is such a terrifying prospect that it makes my clit shrink up into my body.
Surely there are people for whom this kind of matchmaking is enticing. Does it entice you? Tell me in the comments below.
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[edit: A note from the company president --
There are several security methods to protect members and prevent stalkers:
1. When opening the app you will be asked if you want to use you GPS- the GPS system is optional for those who want to display their exact location. However, even with the GPS we've enabled a scrambling mechanism so that the location coordinates are constantly changing within a certain range of an area. This means their location cannot be determined accurately.
2. Users can also set their location manually, which allows them to insert any location they want and view a map of that location.
3. A 'hidden' mode is also available for users who do not want to display their location to anyone, thus being invisible on the map.
4. A blocking mechanism has also been created to prevent any unwanted users from contacting or viewing that user; when blocking someone, that person will NOT be able to see you anymore
The user is in total control of where they want their location to be set on the map, whether through GPS, inserting any address, or scrolling down the map and placing them on a certain spot. The concept is quite simple – we wanted to provide a sensual map with all the erotic scene around you wherever you go, so besides singles or couples, you can find adult shops, bars, clubs, restaurants, massage parlors, BDSM clubs and swingers parties. All of these businesses are represented by a contact person that has joined PinPointsX , and not just listed like in a directory.]
