CFultz's Blog

With a name like Gowalla, this app gives many second thoughts about downloading it. You won’t be sorry you did. Gowalla by Alamofire is a social networking app that allows users to connect with local people and friends by a system of checking in, much like Loopt and Foursquare. What makes Gowalla so much different than it’s competitors is the ability to be used anywhere unlike Foursquare which service is only avalible in “large” cities and has a scavenger hunt giving incentive to go places, unlike Loopt. Although these services have something different to offer like chatting features, Gowalla still takes the cake for with it’s beautiful interface and the website that accompanies it, www.gowalla.com.

Gowalla’s scavenger hunt is based on a series of different stamps that are posted to a users passport. Visit a certain area, recieve a certain stamp on your passport, this is how all your friends know where you’ve been and what you’ve collected. Pins are given for posting a predetermined amount in a certain area or posting in an area for the first time. It gives off an achievement vibe much like Xbox Live which is why it’s a very addictive app. You want to beat your friends by getting certain “rare” stamps and being pinned for posting in a different state or location more than they have.

The integration of Facebook Share and Twitter API allows you to find friends and followers to share your stamps with even if they are not Gowalla users. This is how I found out about this awesome app through Kevin Rose’s Twitter stream. By using this integration, you can add users that have already signed up for the service and have integrated their user names with Gowalla. This means that if you and your friend on Facebook or Twitter both have Gowalla, regardless if you have on your phone and they use it on there netbook, you can still add each other, view each other’s passports, stamps, pins, and even trade stamps you may have doubles of.

Gowalla is bound to be around for along while given the facet that the rate of smart phone users is on the rise. Apps like this will make up a huge market ratio as more users want to share their location and personal information like what they’re doing with friends with the world.

Posted in: Android, iPhone, mobile by Caleb Fultz / Tags: gowalla, iPhone, netbook, review, social networking