The one problem with the ever-growing line-up of social apps - whether they're entire networks like Facebook, or more easily defined check-in efforts like Foursquare - is the fact they don't form one coherent network.

Users essentially have to flip from one to the other for different purposes.

Zerista is billing itself as the answer to that problem, offering up a new mobile social framework that attempts to cherry pick elements from the above and merge them into one service.

Backed with a web interface, it supports iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Palm, and Symbian in terms of their web browsers.

Come together

Primarily it allows small groups of people to come together to arrange events or discuss particular issues, but the app-in-waiting also has check-in features similar to location-based apps, and it incorporates status updates into apps like Twitter.

In terms of a business, Zerista is set to follow the freemium model.

Small groups of 250 will be allowed to use the network for free – advertising generating any initial revenue – while a paid for Zerista Pro for larger groups will also be on offer.

Having just picked up seed funding rumoured to be in the $500,000 range from Kickstart Venture Funding, the company is naturally planning on pushing forward, although an official release date still appears to be up in the air.

"We're grateful to the on-going confidence of our investors,” said Zerista president John Kanarowski, following the announcement.

"We are also really excited by the positive response to Zerista’s Mobile Community Platform. Beta sign ups have vastly exceeded our expectations."