Twitter Announces “Places” Feature, Adds FourSquare And Gowalla Integration

Twitter has been promising a geo-location based option for months and today they announced Twitter Places, a simple to use and useful geo-tagging feature.

The new “features” function highlights Tweets that have occurred around a specific location. Twitter.com and mobile users can tag their existing tweets (existing Twitter Places) and add new Twitter Places.

The application lets users search recent public Tweets from their current location and view nearby points of interest information such as restaurants or clubs in the area. Not sure if you want to go see that DJ at the hottest nightspot in town? Just check to see if any users are Tweeting about it, now you have immediate reviews and other information for locations found directly in your area.

Twitter has also announced that plans are underway to link the new Twitter function with Foursquare and Gowalla.

On the official Twitter Blog Twitter geo head Othman Laraki wrote:

“Location is a key component of these tweets, so we worked closely with both companies to associate a Twitter Place with Tweets generated by these services.”

The interface is clean and simple, here’s a first look: (Click To Enlarge)

Developers will also soon have access to the companies Twitter Places API, although no official release date for that API has been announced.

Laraki further explained the programs worldwide rollout:

“Over the next week, we will roll this out to users in 65 countries around the world,” adding “so keep an eye out for the ‘Add your location’ link below the tweet box.” Users of Twitter’s official smartphone apps can also expect upcoming integrations of Twitter Places.

Twitter Places news will be announced on a regular basis by following @geo.

So what do you think of the new feature? Anything you’d like to see or change with the program?