I’ve been singing the praises of an app called Whrrl for while. If you like FourSquare, then this is sort of the same thing. Except it’s less competitive and more in the spirit of community. Instead of competing for a single place as “Mayor,” you become part of societies that relate to specific places or to general topics. You become a member of a place’s society when you check in at that place and if that place, in turn, if part of another group, then you become part of that society as well. Theaters and museums are part of the “Cultured Society” for example. Bars that offer drink specials are part of the “Happy Hour Somewhere Society.” There are levels in the societies–I’m a Level 6 Insider in the British Beer Company Society, but only a Level 3 Rookie in the Acapulco’s Restaurant Society–but no single Mayor.
It also makes it very easy to make recommendations on places. Think FourSquare meets Yelp, but with an easier interface. I don’t just check in at Acapulco’s, but can also recommend to you the rather excellent Margarita’s they have there, or tell you why it’s a good place to watch the World Cup matches. So, too, with my gym, grocery store, bank, coffee shop…
Then there is the digital storytelling aspect to it. Once I’ve checked into a place, you can keep posting your pictures from there, and create a story. Maybe you went to your friend’s birthday party or to a music festival. Well, you can post pictures all day and, if you want, allow others to post as well. But the privacy settings are strong and determined by you. You remain the owner of your story, and they are nowhere are fickle as other services (I’m looking at you, FB), so by linking it to a service like Facebook, you can get your stories and media posted and still have them be under your control.
In a word, I love this app. I’d stopped using it as much for a while, but lately our relationship has been rekindled. And just in time, too. Whrrl just launched a rewards program, so you can get discounts and free stuff as you advance in societies. Since I use the app already, that’s just just gravy!
Here, by the way, is a post that came to me through Twitter, even as I was writing this. Looks interesting: How to be Active in Whrrl
Great post! Based on what you wrote, I think you are going to like what we are doing next. BTW, I write late at night too.
Actually, anything you post to FB automatically becomes theirs to do with as they wish. I’m still waiting for the landmark IP court case….
Based on your description, I’ll probably start using this service when I get a smart phone, if I ever do…. Thinking more along the lines of a 2nd generation iPad at this point, that includes all the features conspicuously ‘missing’ from the first one….
I look forward to seeing it. If there were a feature I were interested in it would be that the check-ins from different places could be more easily unified into a story. I like the digital storytelling aspect of the app, and it would be handy if, for example, a vacation or day trip in a certain town could include all my photos, notes and recommendations.