Fourwalla
Gowalla and Foursquare are the two hottest location based social networks on the block. I've been using both for many month simultaneously on my iPhone, and although I have a slight preference for Gowalla, the overall experience and basic functionality of both services is pretty similar.
If I would have to choose one, it would be Gowalla. But if I would have a wish left, it's Fourwalla (courtesy of @out_bug_out) - a combination of the best of both apps. As I described yesterday on netzwertig.com (in German), I would like to see the design and basic functions of Gowalla (like being able to see the places where people did check in, or the people who checked in at a specific location), enhanced with Foursquare's mayor and tips feature, an API and a wide range of mobile apps. In the latter two categories, Foursquare is currently outperforming Gowalla with an already existing API and mobile apps for iPhone, Android and Blackberry.
From a user perspective, it doesn't make sense to have two almost identical web services, that furthermore divide the group of potential users. I usually check in with both apps for now, but I won't do it forever.
For the two young US companies, joining forces would mean that they could accomplish more quicker, instead of each one developing the same features and working on the same cooperations with retailers, bars, clubs and restaurants. And let's not forget that there is some serious competition in the space of location and game based social networks, with Yelp, Brightkite, Loopt, Rummble and MyTown trying get the users attention and time.
I think that by merging Foursquare and Gowalla, the investors behind both services (together they got about $10 million in funding) would increase their chance of an attractive exit, since it would make it more likely that network effects are kicking in, which is necessary for rapid, viral growth. Apart from some technical challenges during the actual process of merging data and users, I don't see any huge obstacles that would make Fourwalla a stupid move.
It's not likely that a merger between the two will ever happen. But I would love it.
