Gowalla Announces Gowalla for Android and Teams with Travel Channel

Gowalla, a location-based social networking service, today announced the availability of Gowalla for Android, a native application specifically designed for Android operating system. Previously the Gowalla experience was tailored to the iPhone and Android users could only access the service through Gowalla's mobile website. Gowalla for Android provides Android device owners with an experience that highlights the strengths and uniqueness of Android OS.

"Android is an exciting new frontier for mobile devices," said Josh Williams, CEO and co-founder of Gowalla. "We believe the platform has a remarkable future and Gowalla for Android will play a significant role in our product lineup moving forward."

In late 2009, Gowalla launched a mobile website for Android users with some limitations. The new native application greatly improves the Gowalla experience by providing additional features and more accurate location data through its use of Skyhook Wireless' SDK.

Gowalla for Android is available for free starting today in the Android Market and at Gowalla.com.

Gowalla is also pleased to announce the execution of a new agreement with Travel Channel for the integration of proprietary Travel Channel content into Gowalla's social networking service.

The first content integration will focus on the new series, Food Wars, a new Travel Channel offering where blindfolded participants choose sides to determine "Who Makes The Best Dish In Town." Food Wars pits the nation's most famous culinary rivals against one another for a final showdown, where a blind taste test will settle the debate. Locations used in the series will be integrated into the Gowalla platform and Gowalla users will be able to check in and find specific show information, along with the details of the culinary showdown that was filmed there, pick up Items specific to the show, and be awarded specially created passport stamps.

"Gowalla is a growing force in social media and their platform offers a unique new way to engage mobile audiences," said Chris Ackermann, Director of Business Development for Travel Channel. "Catering to the loyal fan bases of these local eating establishments creates an ideal environment for consumer interaction and brand engagement."

The Gowalla community has now checked in at 600,000 places in over 165 countries. The combination of Gowalla for Android with quality travel-related content provided by Travel Channel will continue to inspire more people to go out and discover the world around them.

About Gowalla

Gowalla is a social network that connects people with places by inspiring them to discover and share the world. Motivated by friendship and a growing collection of game-like rewards, people have checked in at over 600,000 unique places in 165 countries. The company is privately held and is headquartered in Austin, Texas. For more information on the company, or to download Gowalla for your mobile phone, please visit www.gowalla.com.

About Travel Channel Media

Travel Channel (www.travelchannel.com) is a network and Web site that captures the power of travel to inspire and entertain, and satisfies the consumers urge to experience the world. Travel Channel is the world's leading travel media brand, and the network is available in more than 95 million U.S. cable homes, and its Travel Channel HD(TM) simulcast is distributed to more than 17 million. The Web site averages more than 2 million unique users monthly, and its mobile content platform, Travel Channel GO(TM), is a leading provider of quality mobile travel video and on-the-go information. Travel Channel is headquartered in Chevy Chase, MD, and maintains offices in New York and Atlanta. Scripps Networks Interactive, which also owns and operates Food Network (www.foodnetwork.com), HGTV (www.hgtv.com), DIY Network (www.diynetwork.com), Great American Country (www.gactv.com) and Fine Living Network (www.fineliving.com), is the manager and general partner.

SOURCE: Gowalla