Swarm 2.0 Gains Direct Messaging To Help Pollinate A More Social Experience

Since Foursquare decided to spin off check-ins to the Swarm app the app hasn’t had much innovation. Til now.

The new Swarm version 2.0 now features direct messaging that will also users to create groups where direct communication can occur. Groups and private messaging can be either direct to another user, or additional people can be added for the true group experience. The app will showcase friends close by that can be quickly added to groups for nearby private chats. The update in the Google Play store states:

Introducing messages! In this release, we’ve added the ability to message your nearby friends (even if they don’t have Swarm) to quickly and easily meet up. Also, when viewing a friend’s check-in, you can now quickly see more details about the place, including which of your friends has been there.

This update may help Swarm’s continued transformation from check-in/gaming-style app to local-hang/meet-upout app. There isn’t a really solid player in this space right now and this update would be quite beneficial for city dwellers and those on college campuses that could leverage a true local social experience.

To see the app yourself, download Swarm 2.0 in the app store, Google Play, or from the Windows Phone Store.