Miles McBride App: Knicks Player Launches Location-Sharing App

A New App Aims to Forge Friendships Through Shared Locations and Interests

Five years prior, Miles “Deuce” McBride experienced a challenging adjustment when he relocated to New York City as a 20-year-old rookie for the Knicks. He found the transition to a large metropolitan area overwhelming and struggled to establish a strong social network.

McBride reflected on his early experiences with TechCrunch, noting the difficulty in connecting with peers. He observed that many of his teammates were either already settled with families or tended to be quite reserved. He expressed a desire for a more natural way to meet individuals sharing similar passions, criticizing the superficiality often found on social media platforms.

Addressing a Common Need for Social Connection

Recognizing a widespread issue, particularly among those in their twenties, McBride collaborated with seasoned startup founder Joe Einhorn to develop Mmotion. This innovative app blends location-based tracking with social discovery tools.

The goal of Mmotion is to facilitate the formation of new friendships based on common interests, while simultaneously suggesting nearby venues like bars, restaurants, and other social hubs.

How Mmotion Differs from Existing Platforms

Currently in beta testing for users in NYC, Mmotion distinguishes itself from conventional friendship apps like Bumble BFF. Instead, it positions itself as a competitor to apps such as Snap Map and Find My, with Instagram recently introducing a similar Map feature. (The beta program is limited to 1,000 participants.)

Mmotion utilizes geofencing and real-time location tracking to identify individuals with shared interests in the immediate vicinity. The app also learns user preferences based on frequented locations, offering recommendations for similar places to explore.

Furthermore, users benefit from a private record of their location history, functioning as a personal timeline to easily revisit past experiences.

Joining and Utilizing the App

Access to Mmotion requires a membership application. Upon approval, users can input their interests, join relevant “Circles” – groups centered around activities like hiking, basketball, or art – and send friend requests to nearby individuals. Private messaging is also available.

Prioritizing User Privacy and Safety

User safety is a paramount concern. Mmotion employs encrypted location data, accessible only to the user unless explicitly shared. By default, users operate in “Vault Mode,” remaining incognito and able to switch visibility at any time.

The app also introduces “Personas,” allowing users to create up to three distinct profiles. This feature enables selective location sharing, such as sharing a public persona with fans while maintaining a private profile for personal activities.

Einhorn explained that this allows McBride to curate his public image ("Deuce" Persona) while maintaining privacy in other contexts.

Standard safety features, including blocking and reporting mechanisms, are also integrated into the platform.

Subscription Model and Revenue Streams

Mmotion will operate on a monthly subscription basis. While specific pricing remains undisclosed, Einhorn indicated it would be affordable, comparable to the cost of a cup of coffee.

Additional features may be offered through premium subscription tiers. For instance, the basic plan limits users to joining five Circles per city.

The app also aims to benefit local businesses by featuring them on the map and providing insights into their customer demographics. Data is aggregated from sources like Google, OpenStreetMap, and Apple Maps.

Long-term, Mmotion envisions offering businesses a subscription service providing access to anonymized analytics, enabling targeted marketing efforts.

Revenue will also be generated through advertising.

Founders and Future Plans

This venture marks McBride’s debut as a startup founder, joining a growing number of athletes pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors. Einhorn brings extensive experience as the founder and CEO of Fancy, a social e-commerce platform, and Long Story Short, a luxury goods startup.

Mmotion is planning a broader launch in the future, contingent on gathering sufficient feedback from beta testers. The app is currently available for download on both iOS and Android devices.