Gowalla is a location based web app that lets your friends know where you are checking in. It focuses on ranking locations based on how many people check in and check out -- which helps you find a good place to eat, shop or play. Also it mostly requires that you have your iPhone handy so you can check in to get coffee or grab some milk.
Have you used Foursquare? Lets pretend Foursquare is Facebook and Gowalla is Twitter. Why did you start using Twitter? Because it is simple, it does one thing very well, maybe better than the competition. Its light and fast. Same with Gowalla, it takes what you use already, simplifies it and then makes it function better, look better, and feel better.
What do I like?
First off, the design of the site is mind-blowing. It makes me feel like I am in a web 2.0 urban jungle of places and friends. It gives me the warm fuzzys. The different shades of greens makes the site mellow and clean, and the rounded vimeo style layout brings a sign of hipness. These guys know what thy are doing.
I also like the fact that signing up is stupidly easy, and the layout is clean and simple. I feel like I know where everything is, even though I have only used the site for 30 mins so far. I also like the feeling of not being bombarded with ads, updates and news. Its like I click something and its just "whenever your ready to move on...". I hate Facebook for the fact that I never feel alone, its always in my face. Sometimes you need some alone time on your social networks. Its a really chill environment and will be an instant hit with the hipness inside of you.
What I don't like
For god sakes, why do I need an iPhone to check in somewhere? Why can't I be at Starbucks, login on my laptop go to the site, check out what my friends are doing, browse and say "hey, I'm here". If you can do this there is no clear option on the site to do so. If this is your business model, a mobile location service, make it clear on your site, or else you will slightly disappoint people and that may be just enough for some of them to leave.
Conclusion
Gowalla is as Web 2.0 as it gets, without being overly complicated. It is a simple to-the-point location service that is based on the iPhone, for the iPhone. It is probably the best Location web app available, even though you cannot be a mayor of a library (wtf). It's website is fresh, its iPhone app is top-notch and it needs your help! Spread the word, tell your friends. "Go out. Go discover. Go share. Gowalla."
Visit Gowalla
source : t3chh3lp.com