Knicks player Miles McBride launches a location-sharing friendship app to rival Snap Map

Miles "Deuce" McBride, the young Knicks player, has taken a significant step into the tech world with the launch of Mmotion, a unique friendship app designed to help users connect based on shared interests. Reflecting on his own experiences as a rookie in bustling New York City, McBride recognized the challenges of forming genuine connections in a fast-paced urban environment, especially for those in their twenties. Teaming up with seasoned entrepreneur Joe Einhorn, McBride aims to address the feelings of loneliness many young adults face. Mmotion combines location tracking with social discovery, allowing users to find potential friends nearby who share similar hobbies. The app not only facilitates social interactions but also suggests local hotspots such as bars and restaurants to enhance the user experience. Currently in beta testing for a limited group of 1,000 users in New York City, Mmotion distinguishes itself from traditional friendship platforms by directly competing with location-based services like Snap Map and Find My. Utilizing advanced geofencing technology, the app monitors user movements and highlights individuals with aligned interests in the vicinity. Users can log their location history, creating a personal timeline of places they’ve visited. To join Mmotion, individuals must apply for membership, after which they can input their interests and join specialized groups known as "Circles". This feature allows for targeted friend requests and private messaging among users. Prioritizing user safety, Mmotion includes encrypted location data accessible only to the user unless shared intentionally. The app’s innovative "Vault Mode" ensures users remain incognito by default, with options for creating specific "Personas" to manage who can see their location. This allows McBride, for instance, to curate a public persona for fans while maintaining privacy in different social settings. To ensure a safe environment, standard moderation tools like blocking and reporting are integrated. Mmotion will operate on a subscription model with affordable pricing, expected to be under the cost of a coffee per month, and may offer premium features for advanced functionalities. Additionally, the app aims to support local businesses by featuring them on the map and providing insights into customer demographics. Mmotion envisions a future where businesses can subscribe for anonymized analytics to better engage with their customer base. The app will also generate revenue through advertisements. This venture marks McBride’s debut as a startup founder, joining a growing list of athletes who are exploring entrepreneurship. With Einhorn's experience as the founder of the social e-commerce platform Fancy, Mmotion is poised for a broader launch once sufficient feedback from testers is gathered. The app is now available for download on both iOS and Android platforms.