Hubbl refers to itself as a “smart telescope for spotting apps.” I like the whole astronomy concept. But I think a candy metaphor would work better. Hubbl is really a crunchy app search nugat that’s been dipped in a vat of chocolaty social network. Maybe they should have called it “Oh Henry”?
In any case, there is something to this app search genre. Palo Alto-based Quixey has a similar concept wherein you hunt for apps based on a functional description.
And then there’s Open Space. This Boulder startup combines search with a dedicated marketplace to help promote apps that would get typically lost in Google Play and the App Store.
Hubbl is different in that it exploits a social network to help filter out the crap-ware. You and your friends can then follow each others purchases. There’s also a tagging function that altruistic commnunity members contribute to and then take advantage when doing a search.
So why use Hubbl over, I don’t know say Google Play? The Play search function is, not surprisingly, pretty darn good. In Hubbl’s favor, the tagging feature has the potential to help fine tune searches. I also like Hubbl’s retro design with the stars streaming behind the recommended buzzy apps.
While I was in Paris I discovered this useful app for navigating the Metro.
I found it again using Hubbl, and as a good Hubbl-ite I hash tagged it (#parismetro) and recommended it.
I guess I can recommend Hubbl. It’s got some cold start problems, as to be expected, but it could be a fun way to share apps with buddies.
The Hubbl app is free, and there are both Android and IOS versions available.