Loopt Shifts Its Strategy To Tap The Pulse Of Location

Someday our phones will be so tuned in to our locations and preferences that we'll see maps that show only the places we're really interested in, a la

http://strangemaps.files.wordpress.com/2007/02/newyorker2.JP...

So, Loopt realized that a) a location-based social network doesn't have much value-add over a normal social network and b) Facebook and Twitter are both going location-based (or are already there) and have way more momentum ...

and therefore are switching gears. I applaud them for this but they still have a long ways to go if they want to be more than a "mobile meetup".

I see it more as loopt simply turning on the "foursquare" ability of their established network. Question is can they retain the coolness and fun while doing it, and how long can foursquare retain the oooooo feel before it becomes lame and overcrowded cause it sure as hell gonna be that way soon.

Are they shifting strategy or simply adapting to the market and what customers need? If Google adds Tweets to search results it does not necessarily mean they are shifting strategy, so why does Loopt change have to be so?

(Unless of course they stated they were shifting. I did not read too much into the article)