Gowalla Rolls Out API

As location-based social networks gain serious traction, its inevitable that that these applications will become full-fledged platforms. Like Twitter, these networks can become ecosystems. Plus, they have a better chance of continuing to survive when Facebook enters the location ring. Foursquare released its API in November. And now Gowalla will has released its API today. In a blog post announcing the API, Gowalla encourages developers to build out features that incolve location and the community, highlighting the recent addition of user-curated trips. Gowalla also suggested several uses of the API including an Indiana Jones Map (convert your road trip into an animated, epic adventure); Conference Games (encourage conference attendees to explore the city and get to know each other by tracking their check-ins and rewarding those who get off the beaten path); and LunchVote (Use LunchVote to decide on a nearby restaurant and track your history).