Gowalla
 |
|
|---|---|
| Social network (internet) | |
| languages | English |
| operator | Gowalla Inc. |
| user | 600,000 (November 2010) |
| Registration | Yes |
| http://www.gowalla.com/ | |
Gowalla was a location-based social network that worked through software for cell phones and smartphones .
Gowalla was acquired by Facebook on December 2, 2011 , the cost of the acquisition was kept secret. On March 10, 2012, Gowalla announced on its website that operations had ceased with immediate effect.
functionality
Gowalla uses the GPS capability of cell phones or smartphones to locate the current location of the users. Users can then “check in” at the locations ( “spots” ) . This can be done via the mobile website m.gowalla.com or via device-specific apps that are available for Android , Blackberry , iPhone , webOS and Windows Phone . There is currently no way to check-in in one place from the default website www.gowalla.com . To check in you have to be within the check-in radius of the place, which is currently five kilometers. Places that do not yet exist can be created by users. The creator ( "Commissioner" ) has the option of editing this location later. Gowalla can turn touristic interesting places into extraordinary places ( "featured spots" ). These places get a special status and an individual icon.
Original conception
Until September 22nd, 2011, Gowalla focused on check-ins. When checking in, users could randomly receive virtual items as bonuses that could be exchanged or stored at locations. Users were founders ( "Founder" ) of a place when there took off an article. Articles could also be archived and thus collected. Individual articles could be created for special events, companies or institutions. Each user could create up to 25 tours ( “trips” ), each of which could contain a maximum of 25 locations.
Check-ins could be viewed through connected accounts on Twitter , Facebook , Tumblr or Foursquare .
For the achievement of certain challenges ( "Challenges" ), such as the 100 check-in or establishment of the 50th place, the user pins received. There were also pins for visiting countries or US states and for completing tours. The pins, the articles and the number of places visited were in the Passport ( "Passport" noted) of the customer.
Later conception
On September 22, 2011, the application was completely changed. The cornerstone is now the introduction of travel guides ( "Guides" ) that were created for 60 cities worldwide. The travel guides contain the previous locations ( “Spots” ) and recommendations ( “Highlights” ) in this city. The previous tours, which have now been renamed “Lists” , are also included. The check-ins are now called “stories ” . The idea is to connect friends, information and photos with the check-in in such a way that a story is created and documented. The social media concept has been changed in such a way that friendships no longer have to be requested and confirmed. It is now possible to unilaterally follow other people. The term “friends” has been replaced by the terms “follower” and “following” known from Twitter . Pins are now only awarded for visiting countries and US states, no longer for reaching challenges ( "Challenges" ) and completing tours ( "Trips" ).
Another change is that with the change in concept, the application is only available in English, the German version and versions in other languages are no longer available for the time being. Furthermore, it is no longer possible to pass on information about connected accounts to Twitter , Facebook , Tumblr or Foursquare .
Criticism and data protection
In May 2012, Stiftung Warentest criticized the fact that the Gowalla app did not send all email addresses and names anonymously without being asked. It was also criticized that the device ID and the usage statistics were also sent to Gowalla.
Companies
Gowalla was founded in 2009 by Josh Williams and Scott Raymond. The company raised $ 8.4 million in venture capital in December 2009 through a fund led by Greylock Partners.
In addition to Facebook Places, Foursquare and Brightkite , Gowalla was one of the world's most important providers of location-based social networks.
Individual evidence
- ^ Jon Swartz: The latest from Gowalla is worth checking out . In: USA Today on December 1, 2010 - accessed June 16, 2011
- ↑ MG Siegler Gowalla Is Reborn As A Beautiful App For Travel And Storytelling . www.techcrunch.com on September 12, 2011 - accessed October 3, 2011
- ^ A new Gowalla - blog information on the relaunch of Gowalla - accessed on October 3, 2011
- ↑ Very critical apps - Gowalle (Version 4.0.3) , May 31, 2012, test.de , accessed on February 21, 2014
- ↑ Caroline McCarthy: Geolocation wars heat up: Gowalla raises $ 8.4 million - accessed June 16, 2011