If you're sitting at home and mulling over whether to visit your local dive, Gobefore should help you come to a swift, albeit Orwellian conclusion.
Established by handful of Sonoma County venture capitalists, the idea behind Gobefore and its freemium application Gobefore is relatively simple: After installing webcams around popular bars and nightclubs, Gobefore allows users to stream live footage via a free iOS app, giving them an immediate sense of what the scene is like at the venue. If it's empty, you may want to avoid the bar (or head straight over); should the place be packed, hustle up and get there! Although privacy and civil liberty woes are certain to crop up, the providers of the application were quick to ensure that the quality of the footage is intentionally low so as to prevent anyone from identifying patrons.
Webcam-Connected Bars
Gobefore Combines Facial Recognition, Social Media and Heavy Drinking
Trend Themes
1. Webcam-connected Bars - Opportunity to create a network of webcam-connected bars that allow users to stream live footage via a mobile app.
2. Facial Recognition - Potential to integrate facial recognition technology into the webcam-connected bars, enhancing the user experience and providing personalized recommendations.
3. Real-time Bar Monitoring - Creating a platform that monitors real-time bar occupancy and helps users make informed decisions about where to go for a lively night out.
Industry Implications
1. Hospitality and Entertainment - Opportunity for bars and nightclubs to incorporate webcam technology and enhance the customer experience.
2. Technology and Software - Innovation potential in developing webcam systems, facial recognition software, and mobile applications for the webcam-connected bars.
3. Privacy and Security - Emerging industry focused on ensuring privacy and data protection in webcam-connected bars, addressing concerns surrounding facial recognition and live streaming.