Dive Summary:
- Budweiser Brazil is currently testing the "Buddy Cup," which combines QR codes, NFC technology, smartphone cameras and traditional paper beer cups to provide instant Facebook friend connections.
- At the bottom of the Buddy Cup is a microchip and a QR code, which a bar or event patron (likely with a Buddy Cup smartphone app) must take a photo of with their smartphone camera, which then links the cup to the user's Facebook account and makes Facebook friending possible via toasts between two Buddy Cups.
- Budweiser has yet to announce plans to test the Buddy Cup in the U.S. or any other countries, and the concept could likely extend to other social networks like LinkedIn if a Buddy Cup user is attending a tradeshow.
From the article:
... This concept is extremely similar to the Bump application for smartphones, basically using proximity to make a connection and trade contact information. At this time, Budweiser Brazil is testing the cup at sponsored events like concerts, festivals and other large gatherings. ...