Given the coverage of the location-based social apps focuses on their growing userbases, soaring check-in rates and deal after deal being signed with thirdparties, it's evident this is a sector on the rise.
The question of just how steep that ascent will be - and how anyone will make money out of people checking into real world locations - remains a pertinent one however.
A finger in many pies
On userbase size alone, Booyah's MyTown and Foursquare seem to be leading the way.
So prevalent in the media is the latter, in fact, that Business Insider recently suggested Yahoo! was considering lining up a $100 million bid for it.
The website claimed Yahoo!'s merger and acquisition deal-makers were engaged in discussions regarding whether to table an offer, the deal likely to propel what many perceive to be an archaic Yahoo! into the app era.
It would certainly enable some interesting business opportunities in terms of advertising.
By linking up with television networks, fashion empires and tapping into Microsoft's Bing Maps, Foursquare is fast gaining access to many different markets.
Raising the stakes
However, speculation also suggests the rumours might have been nothing more than a clever ruse by Foursquare to bump up its price.
The company is currently courting the interest of various venture capitalists, whose respective valuations are reportedly around the $80 million mark.
Current favourite is said to be Gideon Yu of Khosla Ventures, who has previously been a force behind the likes of Facebook and YouTube.
That would put Foursquare in some esteemed company, but with its userbase currently growing at a rate that out-paces Twitter's initial run, it seems the location-based app is well placed to live up to such a billing.
[source: VentureBeat]
News
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
Top Stories
News
May 31st, 2024
Week in Views - Squad Busters goes global, broken app stores, and Hill Climb Racing gets the LEGO treatment
News
May 31st, 2024
Mobile Movers: All the latest appointments and job moves from around the industry
Events
Indie Game Fest & Indie Campus 2024 | Europe | May 31st |
Game Access Conference 2024 | Europe | May 31st |
Indie Craft K-Game Festival 2024 | Europe | May 31st |
Gaymer Pride | North America | Jun 1st |
BostonFig Online 2024 | Jun 1st | |
GameSummit Summer 2024 | Jun 1st | |
Gotland Game Conference 2024 | Nordic | Jun 3rd |
Games Mental Health Summit 2024 | Europe | Jun 3rd |