I just installed Gowalla on my iPad and was immediately blown away by its nice interface the moment I fire up the app. Gowalla has just launched their iPad app and is now available for free download from the iPad App Store.
Gowalla’s main page displays a Google Map right-fitted into the iPad’s huge screen showing the spots where you’re friends and other Gowalla members have checked-in. Â If you turn your iPad to landscape mode, the screen will be split into two, with the left column displaying Activity, Spots and Passport and the right column displaying the Google Map.
If you clicked on any recent activity of your friends, the right column will display your friend’s activity as well as the different comments put in by his friends. You can add your comments as well. Now if you click on the spot where your friend has checked-in the right column will display a placeholder for that spot with a Google map, information about the spot and the list of people who have been on that spot. If you’re in the said spot, you can also check-in. Or if you’re not into the said spot but wants to go there you can tap on  “Get Directions” and Google Maps will show you the fastest route to get there.
Next to the Activity tab is the “Spots” tab. Tap on it and the huge Google Map will be displayed with icons on specific places. This is one aspect which makes Gowalla for the iPad fun. The icons are huge and adds excitement to the overall Gowalla interface.
The last tab on the left column is of course “passport.” This is your Gowalla profile showing information you’ve entered when you created your Gowalla account. It also list down the spots where you’ve checked-in already. For the said screen, you can also access your other Gowall stuff including stamps, pins, and items  you’ve collected and your friends list.
Overall, Gowalla on the iPad is a pretty good app. It gives more excitement to the whole Gowalla experience which you won’t experience when you are using smartphones with smaller screen than the iPad.
It’s a good thing that Gowalla was able to beat Foursquare in releasing an iPad app. This will give it an edge whenever Foursquare decides to release its own app for the iPad.
Originally posted on April 30, 2010 @ 8:34 am
