New iOS app Saga aims to top Siri, Google Now
updated 08:38 am EDT, Tue July 31, 2012
Latest twist on social, location aware apps Saga hits iTunes
A new social iOS app Saga has just hit the App Store (Free, iTunes) and is already generating considerable buzz. Building on the location aware functionality in Siri and Google Now, Saga utilizes data from Facebook, Twitter and others to develop an 'understanding' of a users movements and entertainment habits. Using this information, it can generate suggestions about places to eat that suit your tastes, or other entertainment hangouts, or places where you can buy good coffee.
Provided that you are willing to share your personal and location data with the app, it will automatically record your travels and how you got there without needing to check in. It will learn your daily routine and travel patterns in order to offer suggestions. This can be used to look at your 'past' and to plan your 'future.' To further hook in users, it will rate your week allowing you to earn Experience Points (XP). Naturally, all or some of this information can easily be shared with friends on social networks. With privacy considerations in mind, users can also email the developers at any time if they would like their personal data deleted from the Saga servers.
Saga's developers have already formed a partnership with Runkeeper, that will result in suggestions as to when and where you might like to go for a run. It will open its APIs to other app developers as well, offering further and deeper integration with a range of apps and activities that appeal to users and can further extend the capabilities of its free service. An Android version will become available in August.
