Faced with rocketing real estate prices, first-time homebuyers have a new option in the UK: buying with a stranger they've found online. Shared Spaces is a 'co-buyer network', enabling potential buyers to join forces with others. Like most online social networks, members begin by posting a profile. They describe their likes and dislikes, what they're looking for in a potential co-buyer/room-mate, and which towns and neighbourhoods they'd like to move to.

The website offers tips on doing background checks and advises co-buyers to have a deed of trust drawn up by a notary, outlining issues like ownership share and what would happen if one of the parties wants to sell or move out. Membership is currently free of charge.

Shared buying is meant to be a short term arrangement, whereby 2, 3 or 4 people help one another get a foot on the property ladder. While living in their shared space, co-buyers usually spend less than they would on rent and are able to share purchasing and owning costs. Which means they're able to work towards the goal of selling the place, turning a profit, and making their first solo property purchase.

Coming to the rescue of consumers who can't afford to buy a house on their own seems like a viable business opportunity if you charge membership fees and/or attract advertisers. Considering high real estate prices are a problem for first-time buyers in most countries, the opportunities for this one are global. Get started on a local version, and become the Match.com of housing!

Website: http://www.sharedspaces.co.uk
Email: contactus@sharedspaces.co.uk

When discussing insperiences (the trend of bringing professional grade products and services into the domestic domain), one thinks of plush home cinemas and chef-worthy kitchens. An indoor recycling plant doesn't immediately spring to mind. But that could change with the arrival of the Ecopod.

Created in partnership with BMW DesignWorksUSA, Ecopod's E1 Series is a household recycling center that aims to change the way consumers take out their trash. The appliance houses a compactor, and provides an efficient way to crush, store and redeem recyclable beverage containers, specifically plastic bottles and aluminium cans.

Consumers throw their bottle or can in the appropriate slot, step on a foot pedal, and enjoy the satisfying sound of compaction. The compacted container falls into an internal bin, which can be removed for redemption or curbside disposal. Each pod has storage capacity for approximately 50 crushed containers, while an upper compartment has additional room for glass bottles, newspapers and other recyclable materials. Everything neatly stored away and ready to moved to the next step in the recycling chain.

Anything that makes it easier for consumers to be green is worth partnering with. Ecopod will be available for the 2006 holiday season; if you're in household goods, it's probably time to start placing your orders. (The system will also be featured in Williams-Sonoma's January 2007 catalogue.) And if you're based outside the US: snap up local distribution rights.

Website: http://www.ecopod.org
Contact: info@ecopod.org

Voice over IP isn't just making phone calls cheaper. It's also spawning innovative services that make calls smarter. Case in point: a new start-up called Pheeder, which allows users to communicate with groups of people simultaneously, with just one phone call. How it works: a registered member calls Pheeder, leaves a message, and hangs up. Seconds later, the message is delivered to a pre-selected group of friends, who can either reply to the message or forward it to their friends.

Members can also subscribe to another member's pheeds, turning phone calls into subscription phonecasts. (Will phoneblogs be the next podcasts?) Micro-broadcasting aside, Pheeder could be a very useful, time-saving service for consumers, whether they're coordinating a business meeting or a playgroup. One to partner with if you're in any way involved with helping consumers interact.

Website: http://www.pheeder.com
Contact: info@pheeder.com

London buses will soon carry the world's first GPS advertising. Yell.com has retained 25 buses outfitted with digital LED panels that will show messages matching the bus's geographical position.

Yell.com is using the GPS panel system as part of a five-month campaign to raise awareness of its local search facility. Besides intelligent buses, the campaign (developed by AKQA) also includes knowledgeable bus shelters: interactive screens on bus shelters will highlight local shops, restaurants and bars and help users find their way.

Time to set up an ad agency specialising in GPS/location based services?! On a related note, if you're interested in catering to consumers' desire for information, giving them the info when and where they need it, check out trendwatching.com's infolust.

Website: http://www.yell.com

While aviation has known easier times, the store devoted to air travel, Flight 001, is doing well. Flight 001 opened in New York in 2002, and was one of the first concepts Springwise covered. So we were happy to hear that the retail chain recently opened a shop in Brooklyn, adding to stores in LA, San Francisco, Chicago, Dubai and Berkeley.

Named for the Pan Am flight that flew around the world (westbound) from San Francisco to New York, Flight 001 sells everything a frequent flyer might need, from a wide array of luggage to toile passport holders, in-flight aromatherapy kits and Pan Am lunch bags.

Opportunities? We still think Flight 001 or similar stores would go down just as well in travel hubs across Europe and Asia.

Website: http://www.flight001.com
Contact: info@flight001.com

Spotted by: A Brooklyn Life