The Sock-It app is designed to digitize the act of putting a sock on the doorknob to indicate that the people inside the room are busy at the moment.
The app's approach is a little more inconspicuous than actually having to hang some sort of sign on a doorknob, but it does require your roommates to have it on their phones to work. However, the app is not totally discreet, since it will automatically notify any nearby users who have downloaded the app with the use of iBeacon technology, roommate or not.
Oddly enough, the app comes from Clorox and it was added to the Apple iTunes store on February 14th, encouraging love-makers to leave their socks in the laundry hamper instead of on doorknobs on Valentine's Day.
Roommate Privacy Alert Apps
Clorox' Sock-It App Acts Like a Virtual Sock on the Door
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Door Signaling - Opportunity to develop more discreet roommate privacy alert apps.
2. Inconspicuous Roommate Apps - Creating more privacy apps with inconspicuous features presents an opportunity for innovation.
3. Proximity-based Notifications - Development of apps with iBeacon technology to notify nearby users presents an opportunity for innovation.
Industry Implications
1. Home Automation - Incorporating these apps into home automation systems presents an opportunity for innovation.
2. Personal Security - Development of discreet roommate apps can have applications in personal security, opening up new possibilities and markets.
3. Mobile Applications - Continued development and launch of mobile apps in this category presents opportunity for lucrative business ventures.