The check-in arms race continues to heat up. Foursquare has been working fast to secure its place on not only the iPhone, but also Android, Palm Pre, BlackBerry, and most recently, Windows Mobile. But rival Gowalla is working hard to get onto the other platforms as well. Recently, they launched a version that works on Android phones through the web browser — and a similar method is bringing it to BlackBerry phones as well.
While it’s not quite live yet, it will be “very soon,” founder Josh Williams tweeted today. He also noted that he’s currently using it, and it seems to work well. When it’s live, BlackBerry users will just have to direct their browser to m.gowalla.com.
The mobile web version that Android uses takes advantage of the HTML5 elements of WebKit built into Android’s browser, which includes the ability to access location information in certain smartphones. The BlackBerry implementation isn’t quite as seamless, and requires a newer model of the device, we’re told. For it to work, users have to turn on their location in the browser settings, apparently.
Gowalla has said that they’re working on a native application for all the major mobile platforms, but in the short term, this mobile web version makes sense. Perhaps third party developers can use their soon-to-be-released API to speed the process along.
Call me when Gowalla actually makes their service more socially engaging.. the same with Foursquare. Brightkite wins the current battle hands down, I’ll take the social engagement that Brightkite provides over the ability to be mayor of my local 7-Eleven.
Nokia, Palm, Blackberry, iPhone, Android and all apps no less; a mention of Brightkite is demanded really. Brightkite is a great service and has a good community.
I dont want a web app damit. I want a full app!
How is this news?! This is them *almost* doing something that is *almost* interesting.
The Android web app has been a huge disappointment the last couple weeks. I’m not sure where the issue is but I’ve been unable to create spots, unable to check it, random freezes, etc. If they don’t release a native client soon, I don’t see the point in continuing to use it. #backtofoursquare
MG, FourSquare just updated their favicon…time to write another TC article about them.
hahahaha
Gowalla has 2,464 fans on Facebook. A lot of bad local bands have more fans than that.
This isn’t news; this is a pet project of TechCrunch to hype something that no one cares about. The “check-in wars” are incredibly small time, and not a future business model that will generate more than a paltry amount of revenue.
Find something else to write about please.