This attempt borrows, or rather overlaps a number of features provided by Foursquare, such as quality location-based content, city tips and to-dos. However, it is bigger than Foursquare in those terms as it has more on the offering. Moreover, like Foursquare, Schemer even is dependent on the users to make contributions from their end, rather make their own “schemes,” or plans for cool things to do, as well as to explore schemes from other members or corporate “accomplices.”
Schemer was even announced by its engineers on Google+ and their site’s notion notes that a ‘scrappy team of Google engineers who wanted to help people do fun stuff in the real world.’ To start with the site’s notion, one would read it as following:
Ever wonder what to do? Us too. Schemer can help. Whether it’s exploring a new city, checking out a friend’s movie recommendations, or just finding new activities for your weekends, Schemer lets you discover new things to do, share schemes with friends, and make the most of your day. We’re a scrappy team of Google engineers who wanted to help people do fun stuff in the real world. Think you’re up for it? Join Schemer.
Making it popular wont be an uphill task for Google, as it has a number of ways to keep things running. Even in its invite-only stage, they note that there are a number of ways to sneak into Schemer at the earliest. “Still don’t have your invite? Fret not! There are some sneaky ways you can get invited too,” the Schemer team posted on Google+. “Of course, you can always try your luck at Schemer.com but you can also keep a lookout for our partners’ Google+ Pages…you never know when an invitation may pop up!”
Talking about the extras, Schemer can bank on, is its partnership with some of the popular networks like Food Network, Zagat, Bravo, IGN, Entertainment Weekly, National Geographic, and Thrillist. They would be Schemer’s accomplice partners.
The scheming ad is even interestingly funny as everyone dons a geeky mustache, which is touted throughout. The video is as below:
{iframe width=”560″ height=”310″ align=”top”}http://www.youtube.com/embed/-LQn7hgloI4{/iframe}
Again, Google seems to be disturbing the businesses of a number of other groups, and Foursquare is not the only one to add to the rival list. Schemer seems to be a Google-specific version of PlanJam, which is an existing site that looks like it tailed off in 2008, when the last post to its blog appears. PlanJam was specific in delivering ideas to one, as to what they can go on St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago. It even provided advice related to where to eat, drink, and take in the parade. There was no real upgrade on PlanJam, as it was dependent heavily on text, which lacked check-ins and mobile apps.
Concluding a note on Schemer, its success cannot be guaranteed, but one thing is for sure, that is the terms are to get competitive further.