Microsoft will increase the frequency of serendipitous meetings with friends

These days smartphones know our location all the time. They also have information about our friends. Further, they know about our daily plans (from calendar). Microsoft has combined these three data sets to come up with a unique recommendation system.

Based on user and friend activities, the system can estimate that user and friend will approach an intersecting location within a window of time.

Further, based on the calendars, the system determines that the user and friend are available to meet in that window.

Therefore, the system automatically gives a recommendation of a service (such as a coffee shop) offered within a distance of the intersecting location.

So, technology does not always make us anti-social!.

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