Home > Community > Huge news! Limbo is joining forces with Brightkite

Huge news! Limbo is joining forces with Brightkite

April 7th, 2009

Today we have some big news: we’re extremely pleased to announce that Limbo is joining forces with Brightkite! This is a big day for both companies and we couldn’t be more excited about what this means for the future of Brightkite.

brightkite-limbo

We know one of the biggest questions on your mind is “So what does this mean for me as a Brightkite user?”. We’ve compiled a brief FAQ below but feel free to ask questions in the comments section below. We’ll do our best to answer them.

Is Brightkite going away?
No! Brightkite is here to stay. In fact, by joining forces Brightkite just got a whole lot better!

Who is Limbo?
Limbo is a company based in Burlingame, CA. The Limbo team knows a lot about mobile and we discovered that we share a common vision for our respective products.

Why are you joining forces?
In a nutshell: To make things better for you as a user and bring you more cool stuff. It’s no secret that we’ve been evolving Brightkite very, very quickly, and we want to keep doing that. By joining forces, we now have:

  • an experienced team of engineers, business and product people to evolve Brightkite more quickly
  • some truly amazing technology that will make Brightkite faster and better
  • the resources to build Brightkite on more platforms (Blackberry, WinMo, etc…)
  • the relationships with cell phone carriers to provide better SMS and mobile integration (domestically and internationally)
  • the marketing power to bring Brightkite to the masses – expect lots of new users
  • better point-of-interest (POI) data – you will be able to find more bars, restaurants, clubs and other places easier.
  • by combining the two communities, you’ll find more people in more places.

What does this mean for old Limbo users?
We plan to move all Limbo accounts and key features to the Brightkite platform. Limbo users gain an enriched product, enhanced user interface, and new Brightkite friends. We expect this transition to happen within the next few weeks. Brightkite users please welcome Limbo users and be sure to show them the ropes.

Where will Brightkite be based?
The new Brightkite is headquartered in Burlingame, CA and has offices in Denver, CO and Helsinki, Finland. Brightkite has media sales staff in New York and Los Angeles.

So overall it’s business as usual except we will be ramping up in size and delivering a lot more cool stuff to you. Thanks for your continued support up to this point, we’re just getting started…

Posted by Brady Becker at 10:04 PM in Community 58 comments

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  1. @sallymander
    April 8th, 2009 at 05:15 | #1

    I knew something was afoot! Congrats and good luck! I can't wait to see how Limbo improves the Brightkite experience :D

  2. April 8th, 2009 at 05:19 | #3

    I hate Limbo with such a passion that I'm considering deleting my Brightkite account right now. They continued sending me texts after I unsubscribed several times, including getting confirmations that I would receive no more texts. I tried to call them a few times and always got voicemail, after leaving several threatening voicemails (each after receiving yet another text) I finally got removed, it seems. I also had to report them to apple for leaving no functional opt-out, as they have a special line for iPhone users which always (even in the beginning) gave me this error message that was basically a screen reader reading a broken webpage it sounded like.

    Seriously, I really fucking hate Lingo, and I want them to fail because of how much they spammed me via txt.

    • April 8th, 2009 at 05:24 | #4

      Hey Tom. We will look into this for you. We hate spam as much as you and wouldn't be joining forces if we weren't confident in the result.

      • April 8th, 2009 at 05:29 | #5

        I can provide you all the information, I kept a lot of screenshots and all the e-mails where they say they're creating a trouble ticket and I never actually get any human response. HAPPILY.

        • April 8th, 2009 at 05:37 | #6

          Tom, we'd be happy to look into it. Please send any info to lesley[at]brightkite.com.

    • April 9th, 2009 at 02:25 | #7

      Oh dear, sorry you had such a bad experience Tom, i'm sure Brightkite will look into the situation

  3. April 8th, 2009 at 05:19 | #8

    Congrats on the expansion! Looking forward to new features and more users!

  4. April 8th, 2009 at 05:26 | #9

    @Brady and Martin: Congrats on the merger! It was great to meet you at SXSW, by the way. Glad the name isn't changing and my newly acquired Brightkite t-shirts are still valid. ;)

  5. April 8th, 2009 at 05:28 | #10

    Congrats guys! This is exciting news.

  6. April 8th, 2009 at 05:36 | #11

    Martin, Brady – What a ride. Thanks for letting us tag along. We can't wait to see where you take this next.

  7. April 8th, 2009 at 06:20 | #12

    Does this mean that international sms will return in the near future? I had given up on brightkite.

    • April 9th, 2009 at 06:18 | #13

      Yes we are working to get international SMS back as soon as we can.

  8. April 8th, 2009 at 07:10 | #14

    Congrats Martin and Brady, awesome :)

  9. April 8th, 2009 at 09:09 | #15

    Thanks for all the help, David…couldn't have gotten here without you :)

  10. April 8th, 2009 at 10:21 | #16

    Congrats everyone at Brightkite & Limbo – I'm excited for the future of the community. :)

  11. April 8th, 2009 at 12:04 | #17

    way to go guys,it WAS a quick deal! Take a pause and clear your heads (for a minute, at least!)!! Stay in touch…

    • April 9th, 2009 at 23:15 | #18

      Thanks Perry. In a "butterfly effect" like way you had a lot to do with this. Cheers!

  12. April 8th, 2009 at 13:32 | #19

    Congrats guys!! That's really exciting!

  13. david plewes
    April 8th, 2009 at 14:46 | #20

    what does this merger do for the rewards that are available at limbo that are available for points awarded for texting the lowest unique price? what happens to the remaining points? I have a great concern since i have over 600,000 points!!

    Thank You

    • April 8th, 2009 at 16:53 | #21

      Hi David, your loot will remain on Limbo and you'll still be able to play games and redeem your points like normal.

  14. April 8th, 2009 at 15:21 | #22

    Congrats guys!

  15. @emilycatherine
    April 8th, 2009 at 15:23 | #23

    Yay, new friends!

  16. April 8th, 2009 at 16:05 | #24

    Congrats guys!

  17. April 8th, 2009 at 16:21 | #25

    Great news!

  18. April 8th, 2009 at 17:09 | #27

    Congratulations! You guys work so hard and deserve all the best :)

  19. April 8th, 2009 at 20:00 | #28

    Congrats Hiro and Brady. It was cool to meet you close to the start, even though I ended up not playing a part.

  20. Natalie
    April 8th, 2009 at 22:36 | #29

    Congrats..Brady and Martin! Brightkite and Limbo Unite.

  21. April 9th, 2009 at 02:19 | #30

    congrats you brightkite and limbo

  22. April 9th, 2009 at 02:23 | #31

    Tom I'm really sorry you had such a bad experience with Limbo, but let's wait and see what will happen with this merge. Don't leave Brightkite just yet. Let's just see what happens.

  23. April 9th, 2009 at 14:22 | #32

    i think this is great news for brightkite. i love using the service and am glad to see that there'll be more resources available to build it out. really well done guys!

  24. April 9th, 2009 at 17:00 | #33

    Congrats guys! I am happy to hear about the merger. Well done.

  25. Chip D
    April 9th, 2009 at 22:18 | #34

    Nice work, gentlemen!

  26. Phil M
    April 10th, 2009 at 00:27 | #35

    Glad to see BrightKite moving forward.

  27. Predator04
    April 10th, 2009 at 22:51 | #36

    Limbo was great sounds like some users here dont know what there doing? just send a text to stop limbo alerts and stuff. never had a problem then again i know how to use a cell phone. hope the merge is a good one good luck everyone and congrats

  28. Jibbajabbajo
    April 11th, 2009 at 02:08 | #37

    Hi everyone I will be one of the Limbo people joining Brightkite as well with friends who will follow .

    • April 21st, 2009 at 22:20 | #38

      Hey there Jibbajabbajo, welcome to Brightkite! I'm the Community Manager, so feel free to ping me with any questions you may have, my BK username is sprouticus. :)

  29. April 15th, 2009 at 15:06 | #39

    I find it odd that this post doesn't actually say anything about what Limbo is or what they do, and doesn't include a link to find out more about Limbo. Anyhow, though, congratulations on your hard work. I hope it pays off well for everyone and I will continue to use Brightkite regularly as I do now.

  30. Cherie
    April 15th, 2009 at 19:21 | #40

    As a Limbo user, I am finding it frustrating that not information is being given as to what this will mean for the Limbo members. I joined Limbo for the games and chance to win prizes and later subscribed to the daily text alerts and started saving loot points for rewards (various items that could be ordered free with the points earned); now the amount of loot required to get the rewards has recently skyrocketed without a heads-ups or an even an explanation from Limbo.

    After this merger, will there still be these things (games with prizes, daily text alerts, loot)? In other words, what will be the incentive for Limbo users to stay? What is Brightkite anyway? Is it just a social networking site, or are there other perks?

    • Charlie
      April 16th, 2009 at 05:57 | #41

      I think BrightKite's aim is much different than what you're describing. People aren't on there because of the lure of possible winnings. They're on there to feel more plugged into the places nearby and the wanderings of any friends who are using it.

      If you're not into that, then it will be interesting to see if BrightKite manages to sway users like you, much as facebook brought practically everyone around to using their feed :)

    • April 21st, 2009 at 22:34 | #42

      Hi Cherie, Limbo's games and alerts will be sticking around http://games.limbo.com/play but you will start to see them become less of a priority as resources are shifted to focus on Brightkite.

      We hope that you decide to give Brightkite a try. :) We have a great community and while we don't really offer material perks (aside from giving out BK stickers and t-shirts, etc.), our users find a lot of value in the service.

      Please feel free to contact me directly at lesley[at]brightkite.com if you have any other questions or concerns.

  31. Phil M
    April 15th, 2009 at 19:35 | #43

    I just wanted to put my two cents in toward your comment as a BrightKite user. "What is Brightkite anyway?" It is a social networking site but is location based. In other words, you can "see" the social activity that surrounds you where ever you go. If I check in at a location in Dallas, TX I can view other BK users/activity plus any postings from past visitors. It is a great way to gather suggestions when traveling or view photos that other users have posted at various locations. Give it a try.

  32. Cherie
    April 16th, 2009 at 06:30 | #44

    Limbo has a location-based social networking, too. It just never interested me. It will be interesting to see what Limbo brings to Brightkite.

  33. April 24th, 2009 at 02:05 | #45

    Excited to see what's to come! In the same boat with many on here – hope the merger brings on bigger and better things – you have my support

  34. May 1st, 2009 at 18:57 | #46

    That is pretty cool!! Congrats you guys, and good luck with the combines company. I look forward to seeing you grow in the future!!

  35. Jan
    May 2nd, 2009 at 16:32 | #47

    I emailed Limbo but did not get any response. I am giving them the benefit of the doubt that they did not get my email or their reply to me got lost in the huge cyberworld of emails.

    If anybody can helpme – that will be awesome.

    I have been collecting limbo points for a long time. I was so close in getting what I wanted.
    I logged on – now I need MANY MANY more points to get that same priize. It seems like it
    will take a life time to build up to what they want.

    Am I looking at something differently. Did my 20,000 loot points that I need will turned into 200,000 or something on that line.

    Thanks so much all

    J

    msjaner@hotmail.com

  36. reepicheep
    May 4th, 2009 at 18:58 | #48

    I am glad that I cashed my points just in the nick of time. It took me a year to get enough points for one dvd. Now with the point increase for stuff and the decrease for awards it would take 10 more years, to get another one.

    • May 4th, 2009 at 21:01 | #49

      Exactly why I can't see ever bothering with services that offer "points" and "rewards".

  37. Joyce
    May 25th, 2009 at 21:22 | #50

    Look….I have limited text msgs and I DO NOT APPRECIATE YOU GUYS JUST COMING IN BECAUSE YOU FEEL LIKE IT AND USING MY TEXTS UP. This is not right. However U got my cell phone number…..LOOSE IT!!!!! I DO NOT WANT YOUR STUPID MESSAGES! Block my number from your fucking list. I do not choose to pay for your damn texts, that is not the reason I got text msging!!!!! If you don't quit using my number to send UNWANTED TEXTS….there has got to be something that can be fucking done to stop you guys.

    • May 26th, 2009 at 15:20 | #51

      Hi Joyce, I'm very sorry that you have been receiving these messages. If you would please send your cell phone number to lesley[at]brightkite.com I will forward it on to the Limbo support team to have it removed from their system and the messages stopped ASAP.

  38. June 15th, 2009 at 05:16 | #52

    Good news and Congrats.

  39. Grandma
    June 25th, 2009 at 15:19 | #53

    Your recent picture of the baby is truely cute, but you will get some feedback of people who will think it in appropriate. I'm the grandmother of the cutie, and know he has the best parents. the picture is now my desktop picture. thanks

  40. August 7th, 2009 at 13:52 | #54

    I didn't like limbo.They continued sending me texts after I unsubscribed several times, including getting confirmations that I would receive no more texts. I tried to call them a few times and always got voicemail, after leaving several threatening voicemails (each after receiving yet another text) I finally got removed, it seems.

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  42. abercrombie
    December 5th, 2009 at 02:48 | #56

    i love using the service and am glad to see that there'll be more resources available to build it out. really well done guys!

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  44. March 2nd, 2010 at 03:46 | #58

    Congratulations! I hope the merge would really be a great success…

  1. March 21st, 2010 at 01:28 | #1