Gowalla nearing beta release of Android app

Gowalla is quickly becoming one of my favorite Android apps and I’ve never even used it. I have however been playing with their new mobile site and I find it strangely addicting. Just like Waze turned driving into a game, Gowalla is doing the same for your daily activities.

The geolocation checkin service allows users to share their experiences with friends (via Facebook and Twitter) and discover new locations. Users also get to stamp their virtual passport and earn rewards at the places that they visit.

Gowalla has badges for everything.

Even though I’m super impressed with the mobile site, I have been eagerly waiting for a native Android app. We reported a beta should be available by SXSW and maybe as early as this month.

Gowalla co-founder Josh Williams (watch interview) posted the following update on their support forums:

A native first-party Android app is in development. Our goal is to release the first beta within a couple weeks with a near final beta build available in late February.

A big thank you to everyone for your patience. We don’t like that its taken so long, but our goal has been to do this right and provide a premium experience on the Android platform. We don’t want it to play second fiddle to the iPhone.Josh WilliamsGowalla

Check out the screen below for what to expect.

Gowalla for Android.

Related Posts

• Go local with Gowalla
• Zeta Type offers new Android input
• Austin Android Users Group first meetup next week
• Firefox on Android renders its first web page, no plans for iPhone
• Google continues to give out free Nexii (Nexus One phones)

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