Whrrl
| File:Whrrl logo.png | |
Type of site | Social networking |
|---|---|
| Available in | English |
| Owner | Pelago, Inc. |
| URL | whrrl.com |
Whrrl was a social location-based game developed by the Seattle-based company Pelago, Inc.[2]
Whrrl had a recommendation engine that uses algorithms and users' votes to surface relevant recommendations.
On June 30, 2010, Whrrl launched its Society Rewards Program, designed to close the gap between a brand’s online social media and real-world presence with its first partner, Murphy USA Oil.[3]
Groupon announced that it had purchased Whrrl on April 18, 2011.[4] As Whrrl dissipates, it is being speculated that Groupon will leverage location based social networking or "check-ins" on their popular group coupon site.
Site overview
The service was launched in October 2007 as a geosocial networking and discovery site that allows both web and mobile users to find, explore, share, meet up at, and rate points-of-interest in their cities. Online Recommendations.
Pelago’s first product, Whrrl, was launched on July 10, 2008. Whrrl v1.0 was a location-based social networking and discovery application for the iPhone, Blackberry and numerous other mobile phones.
Pelago launched Whrrl 2.0, an 'on-the-go' storytelling application for the iPhone and web on March 16 at South by Southwest.[5] Whrrl 3.0 was launched at SXSW on March 11, 2010 with a promise: "We'll save you from Farmville." Press release here [1].
Pelago, Inc.
The company was founded by Amazon.com veterans Jeff Holden and Darren Vengroff, the latter of which has since left the company.
In November 2006, Pelago, Inc completed Series A financing backed by Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers; Trilogy Equity Partners; and Bezos Expeditions.[6] It is also the first product to be financially backed by the iFund.
In May 2008, Pelago announced a second round of funding totaling US$15 million led by Deutsche Telekom, followed by India-based Reliance Technology Ventures and DAG Ventures.[7]
In April 2011, Pelago was acquired by Groupon and the Whrrl service discontinued.
References
- ^ "Whrrl.com Site Info". Alexa Internet. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
- ^ Whrrl 3 Wants To Kill Farmville. Not Foursquare. Not Gowalla. Farmville.. TechCrunch URL accessed August 26, 2010.
- ^ Check In With Whrrl, Win Free Gas TechFlash URL accessed August 27, 2010.
- ^ andrew. "Groupon Acquires Pelago « Groublogpon – The Serious Blog of Groupon". Groupon.com. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
- ^ Whrrl revamps its iPhone app just in time for SXSW... VentureBeat URL accessed May 14, 2009.
- ^ Giving it a Whrrl. USA Today URL accessed December 20, 2007.
- ^ Pelago Secures $15 Million In Funding For Mobile Social Network On A Map Washington Post URL accessed June 4, 2008.
- Jolie O'Dell (August 22, 2010). "Beyond Foursquare: 5 Location-Based Apps for Your Small Business". Mashable. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- Om Malik (August 11, 2010). "Whrrl: Living in Foursquare's Shadow". GigaOm. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- John Cook (August 11, 2010). "Foursquare rival Whrrl enters Las Vegas with 'society rewards'". TechFlash. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- Jason Falls (August 9, 2010). "Checking In With Whrrl at Whrrl". Social Media Explorer. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- Giselle Tsirulnik (June 18, 2010). "Red Bull builds hype for NY Air Race via mobile social media". Mobile Marketer. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- Jason Keath (June 6, 2010). "21 Unique Location Examples from Foursquare, Gowalla, Whrrl, and MyTown". Social Fresh. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- Jenna Wortham (March 17, 2010). "Telling Friends Where You Are (or Not)". New York Times. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- John Cook (March 10, 2010). "Whrrl tells Farmville fans to get a life and meet some real people". TechFlash. Retrieved August 27, 2010.
- Geoff Duncan (October 23, 2007). "Whrrl Winds the Social with the Mobile". Digital Trends. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
- Jessica Dolcourt (October 24, 2007). "Rummble, Whrrl". News.com. Retrieved December 20, 2007.
- "Whrrl is Yelp Plus Twitter". Mashable. October 23, 2007. Retrieved December 20, 2006.
- Whrrl Breaks New Ground with Location Based Storytelling
- Whrrl Partners with Eye-Fi for Digital Camera Support