Dianping LBS Review

Couple months ago I did a simple note on Dianping LBS service for iPhone, I finally got a chance to try it out.

As Dianping large user base and directory are based on restaurants, naturally good eats are the main search that you can look via your GPS near you or via the map.

Checking in is easy, you can also give a quick review 1-5 star rating on the atmosphere, food or service. You can also check if the restaurant gives online coupons to Dianping users. Dianping already have their Groupon deals launched, so I'm assuming next is integration with their location service. Currently their mobile app version supports iPhone, Nokia, Android and WAP version.

I do hope that Gowalla or someone would integrate all of these service together, currently I am using JiePang, RenRen LBS, Gowalla, Foursquare and Dianping is my recent addition so you can imagine when I arrive into a restaurant or a new venue, I spend quite a moment standing and checking in hehe :)

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JiePang Meets Foursquare and Instagram

JiePang has just recently upgraded their mobile apps, I felt its more like JiePang meets Foursquare with their latest photo taking capability, plus Instagram effects on applying different filters. I noted the capability of searching a deal base on your closest location, as well as groupon type of offers. You can also see the weekly and overall leaderboard scores. The also provides HTML5 version for other mobile platforms, its interesting to see how far JiePang has come considering the company was founded just last year.

According to JiePang official statement "Jiepang is pleased to announce that we have now pushed out the ability for users to take pictures while checking in. Furthermore, our English application is far more in depth. If you are using an iPhone, please take a moment to update the application on the app store."

About JiePang
Founded early 2010, Jiepang (http://jiepang.com) is the leading location-based social network in greater China region, headquartered in Beijing with branch offices in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Taipei. Users use Jiepang on their mobile Internet phones to "check in" at venues, allowing them to share their location with friends. Jiepang users can also collect virtual "badges" for checking in at special locations. Some of these “badges” are redeemable for real-world rewards such as special offers and discounts. Today, Jiepang continues to develop the service for its users, and has already partnered with brands, including Starbucks, Nike, McDonald's, Budweiser, and others, to promote location-based social lifestyles.

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Top Guest Adds Hotel Rewards

It looks like Top Guest are getting more busier, they just added several rewards available now to loyal travelers that likes to check-in not only at the Front Office, but also on their phone (here's an idea why not streamline and just do one check-in from mobile and Front Office just pull the data over, will certainly save a heck of double work). I mean checking-in via mobile for hoteliers should mean a new form of CRM.
I do think they should partner with JiePang for China market, as this is where the hospitality front will expand a lot more faster compared to the west, with more hotels on the pipeline. Working not only with the International Hotel Groups, but also local motels like Home Inn or 7 Days Inn.

Most noted are - $20 voucher benefits at select Shangri-La, Swissôtel, Mövenpick, Regent and Husa hotel properties.

It looks like more hotel groups are intrigued whether Top Guest check-in Internet model will take off.
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