Location based services are poised to make a big splash with the advent of greater GPS enabled phone adoption. Facebook recently announced a location based service that allows customers to check into websites for sales opportunities in real life and others are quickly following the trend. Most recently Disney has added support for Gowalla, which will allow visitors to check into resorts and earn digital souvenirs.

Gowalla is a location based social network service that has been capitalizing on people’s ability to broadcast their location with GPS enabled phones. Previously the Gowalla experience was tailored to the iPhone but has recently released an Android version allowing users the same features as the original platform.

The promotion with Disney allows Gowalla users to create custom trips and tours for themselves which will direct them to attractions based on the data they provide and their location within the park. If for example kids are under a certain age or height requirement they will be directed to attractions appropriate to them.

The platform also allows users to share photos and experiences with other people in the park.

Though just 4 percent of the U.S. Internet population has ever used location based services, the trend is expected to grow exponential as services like Facebook and Gowalla bring it to the mainstream. While these platforms may still seem gimmicky, there will likely be a time when like smart phones themselves they prove truly invaluable to the general population.

Chris DiMarco is a Web Editor for TechZone360. He holds a master's degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University. Prior to joining TMC Chris worked with e-commerce provider Suresource as a contact center representative and development analyst. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Chris DiMarco