A primer on the leading location based services (Foursquare, Gowalla, MyTown, Loopt, Whhrl and Brightkite) including background, monetization and targeting possibilities.

1. Location Based Services By: Cory O’Brien March, 2010 Image: Google

2. LOCATIA-WHA? Cory O’Brien Image: E*TRADE

3. A location based service (LBS) is an information and entertainment service, accessible with mobile devices through the mobile network and utilizing the ability to make use of the geographical position of the mobile device. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Location-based_service Cory O’Brien

4. Or, More Simply: + = Cory O’Brien

5. Foursquare is a cross between a friend-finder, a social city-guide and a game that rewards you for doing interesting things. Cory O’Brien

6. Launch: March, 2009 Users:600,000+ Focus: Badges and Becoming Mayor Platforms: iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Palm, Mobile Unique: 2-Way API Good For: Meeting Up With Friends Cory O’Brien

7. Gowalla is a remarkable way to share and discover eateries, coffeehouses, nightlife hotspots, hipster hangouts, retail meccas, famous landmarks, notable architecture, parks, museums and more. Everywhere you go. Cory O’Brien

8. Launch: March, 2009 Users: 150,000+ Focus: Stamps, Pins and Trips Platforms: iPhone, Android, Palm, Mobile Unique: Photos,Friend Notes Good For: Discovering The World Around You Cory O’Brien

9. MyTown is a GPS game about buying and owning your favorite local shops, restaurants, and hangouts on your iPhone. Cory O’Brien

10. Launch: July, 2009 Users:1,500,000+ Focus: Gaming Platforms: iPhone, iPod Touch Unique: Store Good For: Gaming Cory O’Brien

11. Loopt shows users where friends are located and what they are doing via detailed, interactive maps on their mobile phones. Cory O’Brien

12. Launch: September, 2005 Users: 3,000,000+ Focus: Events Platforms: iPhone, Blackberry, Android, 100+ Phones Unique: Real-Time Location, Facebook Events Good For: Anyone Without A Smartphone Cory O’Brien

13. Whrrl seeks to increase the possibility of real-world adventure and human connection in our daily lives by bringing together people who share real-world visit patterns. Cory O’Brien

14. Launch: July, 2008 Users: Unknown Focus: Footstream Platforms: iPhone, Mobile Unique: Societies Good For: Documenting Your Life Cory O’Brien

15. The simple way to keep up with friends, meet new people, and discover new places. All while you're out and about. Cory O’Brien

16. Launch: October, 2005 Users: 2,000,000+ Focus: Community Platforms: iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Mobile, SMS Unique: Asymmetrical Follow Good For: Media Creators Cory O’Brien

17. How Do They Make Money? Cory O’Brien Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amagill/3366720659/

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26. DEMOGRAPHICS ->WHO? LANGUAGE ->WHO? BEHAVIORAL ->WHAT? INTERESTS ->WHAT? ACTIVITY ->WHAT? LOCATION ->WHERE? WEATHER ->WHERE? TIME ->WHEN? Cory O’Brien Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/baturix/4335506910/

27. Thank You! Cory O’Brien http://foursquare.com/user/CoryOBrien http://gowalla.com/users/CoryOBrien http://bit.ly/CoryOBrienLoopt http://whrrl.com/person/18784790/Cory_OBrien http://brightkite.com/people/CoryOBrien Cory O’Brien Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lara604/3593696018/