When it comes to location-based social apps, connection issues are a surprisingly common technical problem.

Considering said apps rely on their users being able to check-in when visiting cafes, bars and so forth, so not being able to connect to GPS - the usual trusted method of determining location - is a fairly major barrier.

(Of course, for games, being able to guarantee location is less of an issue.)

Gowalla's newly announced deal with location tech specialist Skyhook Wireless should give its app a distinct advantage over its competitors though.

Hybrid location mode

The partnership will see Skyhook’s core engine added to Gowalla's Android app.

Skyhook uses a combination of GPS, cell-tower positional data, and trusted wi-fi network information to create a hybridised system of working out where you are.

In this way, Skyhook reckons it's able to determine where anyone is within an accuracy of 10 to 20 meters, and more importantly enabling players to check-in at locations where GPS isn't available.

"Up to this point we’ve tailored our core Gowalla experience to the iPhone," Gowalla CEO and co-founder Josh Williams said in a statement.

"Accurate user positioning is essential to Gowalla’s functionality. We chose to use Skyhook because we require the best possible location at all times."

Said Android app is still in its beta stage, meaning the link-up with Skyhook should enable Android users to make full use of the new set-up when the official app finally launches before the end of the month.