Loopt Now Available On Verizon

The problem with attempts at mobile social networking right now is lack of crticial mass -- social networking is only fun if your friends are there, and there simply aren't enough people engaged in the services to make them truly useful - yet.

Mobile versions of Twitter and Facebook are one way this might change.

Another way this might evolve is if a mobile social network gets to critical mass. For this to happen, it would need to be available independent of the carrier you are on.

Think about it -- if online social networking was segregated based upon your ISP how useful would it really be? Not very.

Until recently, a pretty cool location-based mobile social network -- Loopt -- suffered from this.

Today, Loopt announced that it is now going to be available on Verizon as well as Sprint and Boost.

The value of Loopt - finding your friends in real space in real time on your phone -- is only relevant if your friends are part of the service.

By itself, adding Verizon won't be enough to make this service relevant -- but it is definitely a step in the right direction. More access should (could?) lead to more subscribers and that should (could) lead to more value in the service for all of us.

Are you on Loopt? Comment if so -- I am all signed up and would love to know who else is out there..