I recently discovered the wonders of the two biggest location-based social networking games being used right now: FourSquare and Gowalla.
I’ve been what one would consider a “regular user” for about 24 hours now and it’s pretty addicting.
Basically, here’s how both work: you are at Starbucks. You load up your FourSquare and/or Gowalla app. You “check-in” to the location. Depending on which application you’re using, you’ll also be able to see what other people/friends have checked in there, read tips about the place from others who have visited that exact location, and more.
Each app keeps track of where you’ve been. If you visit the place more than anyone else, you become the mayor. People can steal that mayor title from you if they visit the place more times than you do.
Unique to Gowalla is a fun items feature. People can leave items at any place they check in, then other users who go there can find and collect them.
Unique to FourSquare is the ability to earn badges and achievements.
My point: I think these services are going to be big in 2010. Both are simple, fun, and easy. They’re essentially a more fun way to tweet.
I encourage everyone to give ‘em a try! If you had to pick one, use Gowalla.. it’s prettier. You’ll be ahead of the curve when they go mainstream in a year or two. Start by just checking in to everywhere you go… you’ll find why it’s addicting.
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This is for iPhone correct? Can you use an iPod touch if there’s wi-fi? Thanks
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jasmine
I have to agree with you Andrew, locational social networking is the next big thing.
I’ve been hearing of Foursquare for ages from Leo Laporte, and never got round to it, when i did i was disappointed to find that Glasgow wasnt one of the cities that had been added, which is where Foursquare lost me.
Gowalla on the other hand allows users to add places so i’ve been able to populate Glasgow and the surrounding areas with places to go.
The one thing that hinders the adoption of these services, like the early days of twitter is that people really dont seem to understand what the point is of letting people know where you are at all times. There was public outcry in the UK when Google Latitude was unveiled, and I’ve never been able to convince people of the positive sides of such services.
Trying to get my network of friends on to twitter took me a few months, i dread to think if i’ll ever get them round to letting people follow them in a more stalkerish way.
Maybe we’re just ahead of the curve?
I’ve been using FourSquare for a couplr of months mow. It’s kinda fun, and it certainly adds a nice twist that other LBS were missing, like BrightKite (which was essentially Twitter with locations, pictures and comments). The biggest barrier is ease of use. FourSquare is easy to use if you have a smartphone. Android and iPhone have apps, but any other platform? You’re stuck with mobile web (which many people lack) and SMS, which isn’t as straightforward as people would prefer. Can’t speak for Gowalla (aren’t they iPhone-only right now?), but if FourSquare can figure that out, they’re set. Especially now that they’ve opened their APIs.
I think it is possible to use it on iPod touch.. yeah!
yeah that’s what i like about Gowalla too… you can use it anywhere no matter what. it’s fun to add locations too, whereas with Foursquare it’s a pain in the ass!
Gowalla is iphone only atm but i’ve been using m.gowalla.com from my htc hero, it should work on other phones aswell