JoinU @Harvard vs Talas AI

JoinU is a mobile app that helps build community at Harvard by connecting people around shared interests. Want to advertise a new event? Need activity partners? Explore new activities? Do this and more with JoinU.

Social networking as it was meant to be Most social platforms are designed around feeds, engagement, and endless content. Talas is designed around people. Instead of maximizing time spent, Talas helps you understand your network, connect intentionally, and build relationships with context, trust, and consent. --- One unified and private identity Talas gives you a single digital identity anchored to your verified contact information. This identity works across both personal and professional life, so you do not have to juggle fragmented profiles across platforms. You choose what to share, including • Where you are based • Professional experience • Education • Projects, hobbies, or creative work • Media Privacy is foundational. Your profile is visible only to people you choose to connect with. Even if someone has your contact information, they must request access and you decide whether to accept. You stay in full control of your identity and your network. --- See and understand your network Talas makes your personal network visible and searchable. Your connections page shows everyone you know, each represented by a unified identity. All context and contact information for a person lives in one place. No duplicates, no forgotten introductions, no mismatched names. Beyond individual profiles, Talas shows how people are connected to each other. You can explore shared relationships, communities, and paths of introduction, giving you a clearer understanding of who you know and how you are connected. --- Ask your network questions using natural language When you need answers quickly, Talas lets you tap into your network using natural language. Ask questions such as • Who in my network lives in NYC and might be a good dinner companion • Do I know anyone who works at a specific company • I need help finding an apartment in SF, who can help Instead of relying on memory or guesswork, Talas helps you surface the right people at the right time, based on real relationships. --- Connect through trusted introductions The strongest connections happen through people you trust. Talas is built around an introduction first model. You can • Request introductions through mutual connections • Introduce two people you know • Connect directly only when you already have someone’s contact information Cold outreach is intentionally limited. Every connection happens with context and consent, reducing noise and preserving trust. --- Meet new people thoughtfully Talas helps you meet new people without pressure or spam. Each day, you may receive a small number of recommendations for people you might find interesting. Nothing happens unless you choose to act. --- Stay connected without noise Talas includes focused communication tools. • Announcements to share updates with specific parts of your network • Messaging with your connections in one place No feeds. No algorithms. No broadcasting to everyone. --- Talas helps you understand who you know, connect intentionally, and build real relationships on your terms.