TextSlide takes inspiration from Chatroulette and brings random and temporal connections and conversations, just via SMS. The service is entirely text-based, meaning it works on any mobile phone, and is as simple as they come: just use the #start, #stop, #next and #help hashtag commands to control the random texting experience.
On TextSlide there's no usernames, no friends or followers, just two random and anonymous texters -- you can set a generic name -- communicating until one of them gets bored and types #next to move on to the next texter.
If you're hesitant to try it, don't be. TextSlide only exposes your area code (not your full mobile number), which adds a little context to conversations but doesn't lift the veil of anonymity. It's also SMS only, so the worst thing you could be exposed to is some offensive language, and a simple #next can solve that problem right away.
In using TextSlide for more than a week, I've found the service to be an addicting and delightful way to randomly connect with industry insiders -- there's only been about 10 of us who've had insider access. Of course, that will change with this very post, but I anticipate the service to become infinitely more interesting as it grows; you never know who you might end up connected with via SMS.
The private beta texting service was built by Matt Hunter in a single weekend using Twilio's texting platform. Hunter will eventually go after funding and work to create mobile app experiences in order to combat the texting fees associated with Twilio's service.
If you want in, you better act fast. Hunter will be gradually rolling out TextSlide to users who sign up at the site and promises to let in more than 50 would-be users beginning now. Apparently Hunter has also hidden a few easter eggs. We've yet to find them but we believe them to be hidden SMS commands -- so good luck on getting in and happy hunting.
