Location-Based Mobile Services: The Next Big Thing?
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The other day, TechCrunch broke the news that the hottest location-based service around, Foursquare, will allow 3rd party developers to use its API. In case you don’t know, FourSquare essentially allows users to broadcast their locations to friends who also use the platform.
The Foursquare Fad has been growing exponentially in the last few months, and there have been a few rumors (though nothing conclusive) that Facebook may acquire it:
I’ll admit, I’m a real newbie at Foursquare (I’m pretty unpopular – only have four friends), I haven’t earned too many “points” checking in to venues, and I’m not legit enough to be “mayor” of any establishment. And yet, I found the service incredible innovative and addictive … if more people use it.
The platform seems to be branding itself as a mashup of Yelp, Twitter and Facebook:
Think of foursquare as an “urban mix tape.” We’ll help you make lists of your favorite things to do and let you share them with friends. Think beyond your standard review – we’re looking less for “The food here is top notch” and more for “Go to Dumont Burger and try the most amazing Mac and Cheese ever.” Foursquare will keep track of the things you’ve done, help you create To-Do lists and even suggest new experiences to seek out.
Still, I can’t help but think that with the well-established presence of Facebook and Twitter on mobile devices, what is prohibiting users from using these pre-existing platforms for the same purpose?
Why can’t I just use hashtags to Tweet my location to friends and followers and encourage them to meet up with me ?
Granted, the competition between users that Foursquare fosters sets it apart, and there are some big Silicon Valley players in the Foursquare pot, which certainly adds clout to the service. But especially with the competition that’s out there – loopt, brightkite, and the grandfather of them all, dodgeball (which later became Google latitude).
I just got into the action also, I like the ability to keep track of your late night missions.
Right now I am noticing there are a lot of places I visit that are not in the system yet and I am just not part of that 1% of users who will spend the time to create a new venue unless I have something great to say about it.
It may but there will still be a hard core group of users that keep it alive, even if it is just between themselves.
Jonny
Yeah, I definitely agree - I think the sheer volume of places in these major cities will make it difficult for users to truly and effectively "check out"their city.
To be honest, part of me feels that this was something the guys up in Silicon Valley thought was cool, threw some comedy seed money money at it, to see what happened. Perhaps they are hoping for the Twitter phenomenon to take hold in this case? Who knows
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Location-Based Mobile Services: The Next Big Thing?
The other day, TechCrunch broke the news that the hottest location-based service around, Foursquare, will allow 3rd party developers to use its API. In case you don’t know, FourSquare essentially allows users to broadcast their locations to friends who also use the platform.
The Foursquare Fad has been growing exponentially in the last few months, and there have been a few rumors (though nothing conclusive) that Facebook may acquire it:
I’ll admit, I’m a real newbie at Foursquare (I’m pretty unpopular – only have four friends), I haven’t earned too many “points” checking in to venues, and I’m not legit enough to be “mayor” of any establishment. And yet, I found the service incredible innovative and addictive … if more people use it.
The platform seems to be branding itself as a mashup of Yelp, Twitter and Facebook:
Still, I can’t help but think that with the well-established presence of Facebook and Twitter on mobile devices, what is prohibiting users from using these pre-existing platforms for the same purpose?
Why can’t I just use hashtags to Tweet my location to friends and followers and encourage them to meet up with me ?
Granted, the competition between users that Foursquare fosters sets it apart, and there are some big Silicon Valley players in the Foursquare pot, which certainly adds clout to the service. But especially with the competition that’s out there – loopt, brightkite, and the grandfather of them all, dodgeball (which later became Google latitude).
Can Foursquare grow beyond simply a fad?
Let us know what you think!
Tags: Foursquare, location, mobile devices, next big thing?, TechCrunch