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Comment by minimaxir | Hacker News Reader

You can't derive context from just a "yo." (to clarify: you can't derive context from this app alone, since all you can do is send "yo"s. There isn't enough information to formulate a why. Facebook/Twitter, of course, could make more use out of the "yo"s, but they already have that data.)

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You can if there is a pre-arrangement, or at least the sender and the recipient. Its essentially a contextual "ping" that only the sender and receiver understand, usually from a different channel.

It being easier allows people to drive, spend less time texting when meeting up, etc. Silly use case? Sure. But look at the install base.

I can't believe I hated on Slingshot, but am actually giving this credit.

> You can if there is a pre-arrangement, or at least the sender and the recipient.

That's the point. My dealer and I have that context. The police don't. (Hypothetically speaking, of course.)

Yeah, even collecting the "intent and time of contact" with those involved can be used when paired with other metadata about both people.

You derive the context from the metadata. Unless you think metadata collection is harmless because it doesn't provide information?

Anyone worried about metadata collection should see the merit of this app, it is pure metadata-only communication.

If you are waiting for someone (at a physical location, for a call, for an email, etc.) a well timed "yo" would be a good reminder.

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