Home Facebook’s Location Feature Gets More Hands on Deck With Acquisition of Ex-Googler Startup NextStop

Facebook’s Location Feature Gets More Hands on Deck With Acquisition of Ex-Googler Startup NextStop

Facebook will unveil its entry into the location-based social networking space someday and today’s acquisition of innovative trip-sharing service NextStop will undoubtedly influence what Facebook users eventually get to see.

NextStop was founded by a team of ex-Googlers and best-known for an HTML5 mobile web site that makes innovative use of location and Creative Commons media posted online about places. Check out the screenshots below of the mobile app, now set to be shut down as the company transitions into becoming a part of the Facebook development team.

The NextStop Mobile Interface

See also…Why We Check-in: Reasons People Use Location-Based Social Networks

Might the Facebook Local product end up including collections of places organized by users around the world? NextStop is releasing all its existing guides under Creative Commons licenses, but says the same type of work will continue at Facebook. In the company’s FAQ about the acquisition, NextStop wrote today that “pursuing our mission to help people discover the world around them was something that could be done with greater impact and scale as a part of Facebook.”

The suspense keeps building around Facebook’s location feature. I know my expectations have probably grown unrealistic by now – it had better be super awesome, when it finally arrives. The addition of the NextStop team may help it be just that.

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.