Peeple, the 'Yelp for Humans' iOS app, launches on the App Store today
It gained notoriety when news of the application first hit the Web back in October, but now the launch of Peeple, an iOS app described as “Yelp for Humans,” is set to launch on the App Store. The software indeed allows users of Apple’s iOS devices to rate the people they encounter in their day-to-day lives. And you bet: the word “controversial” is indeed an understatement.
Try the app out for yourself
The application works through allowing users to rate the people they encounter across three categories: personally, professionally, and romantically. You might rank neighbours, roommates, landlords/tenants, and … romantic partners. Ouch. Yet, claiming to offer the public “a reference check for the people around us,” the folks behind Peeple hope that it’ll help users make better choices.
Once armed with these recommendations you can turn them into your new form of currency to get better job opportunities, better dates, growing relationships, and networking opportunities. The online social media space was lacking a safe place to manage your online reputation.
As a basic user, starting today, Peeple only allows users to rate others with their permission. Reviews can only be published once the scrutinized party agrees, and all posts must be published under reviewers’ real names. This latter stipulation should prevent some wrongdoing from users of the app and service.
The truth license
There is, however, a darker feature looming on the not-too-distant horizon. Apparently, a future paid subscription option, dubbed the “truth license,” will allow users to access all reviews, even if they’re hidden from the service. This information comes according to co-creator Julia Cordray (via CBSNews). Of course, the feature could cause further backlash for the application when it launches next month, in April.
For now, Peeple is en route to the App Store and should be available to download later today.