Last week, we released a new version of Loopt, which integrates Facebook Places, on the iPhone. Six days later, we’re rolling out the same awesome update for Android. Here’s a video which shows some of the features:

As a recap, Facebook Places additions to Loopt include:

• Universal map view - Facebook friends are shown on an interactive map, for which Loopt has long been known. Friends using Facebook Places will populate your Loopt map, giving you a clear view of friends nearby.
• Dual check-in - When Loopt users check in and share to Facebook, it will show up as a Facebook Places check-in – a simple, quick update on both services. This action will add activity to the Facebook Places page for that location. For those with accounts on both services, comments on a friend’s Loopt updates will also show up as a comment on the friend’s Facebook Place update.
• Friend history - Facebook friends who have used Facebook Places will appear in Loopt’s Friends list. Through Loopt, you can pull up a friend’s check-in log (for both Loopt and Facebook Places). This comes in especially handy when you are heading to an unfamiliar city, but you have a Facebook friend who knows the area well. You can see where they like to go regularly, plus their input and photos.

In addition, we’ve upgraded and simplified the Loopt registration system - An e-mail login option has been a highly requested feature. Now new users can join using either their phone number or email address.

Here’s how it works:

1.  Open up the Android Market, and either download Loopt for the first time, or update your current Loopt app. You can also use a barcode scanner on this:

2.  In Loopt, go to “Facebook Connect” on the home screen. You’ll then be prompted to enter in your Facebook log-in details, and you’ll be good to go! (Note: we don’t share anything to your Facebook wall without your permission. Ever!)

3. Now that you have pulled in Facebook updates to Loopt, here are some things you’ll want to check out:

– Friends using Facebook Places will populate your Loopt map, giving you a clear view of friends nearby. (The people that appear on your map are your Facebook friends that have checked in someplace using Facebook Places.) For many, this will translate to a big boost in activity on your map.

A Facebook friend popping up on your map:

– Your Loopt friend list will have your Facebook friends on it, too! (These are also your Facebook friends who have checked in someplace using Facebook Places.) They will be marked with a Facebook graphic in the corner.

Your Friends on Loopt:

– You can comment on Loopt updates, and those comments will transport to Facebook, as well.

– You can click on a friend (whether it’s a Facebook or Loopt friend), and you’ll get a view of their location history.  This comes in especially handy when you are heading to an unfamiliar city, but you have a Facebook friend who knows the area well. You can see where they like to go regularly, plus their comments and photos they’ve taken, if any.

As always, Facebook activity through Loopt will respect the privacy controls set on both Facebook and Loopt.

Let us know if you have comments or questions. You can comment here, or on our Facebook page. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

Great news today for Android users, Loopt Star is now available in the Android Marketplace. When we first launched Loopt Star a few months ago, it was just on the iPhone. We’ve had a lot of requests to extend to Android, and we’re happy offer it today — all the same great rewards you’ve heard of in the iPhone app, all on your Android device!

To get the app, just search for Loopt Star in the Android Marketplace, or if you have a barcode scanner app, use this:

You can compete for lots of achievements while playing on Loopt Star:

And here are some of the sweet deals available now on Loopt Star:

• Sports Authority – Check In twice at any of its 460 U.S. locations, and get $10 off your purchase of $50 or more
• Sports Stadiums / Sports Authority — Check In once at any pro sports stadium (football, basketball, baseball), and get a $10 Sports Authority cash card
• Rock of Ages on Broadway — Check in once at Brooks Atkinson Theatre (Rock of Ages’ Broadway home) on Loopt Star, and receive 25% off your ticket price, plus a free song download from the musical soundtrack.
• Burger King –Check In once at Burger King and get a free coffee or soda with the purchase of a regular sandwich or breakfast sandwich (Value Menu items not included). Offer available at 55 locations in New York and New Jersey.
• Paul Frank –Check In to any participating Paul Frank store and get an instant 20 percent discount off your purchase. You can also win the Paul Frank Super Fan Achievement. Participating stores are in Chicago; Costa Mesa, Calif. (South Coast Plaza); Las Vegas (Fashion Show Mall); Los Angeles; New York; and San Francisco.
• Element –Check In to the Element Times Square store in New York and receive an Element Eco-Water Bottle plus a 10 percent discount off any purchase of $75 or more. You can also win the Element Fan Achievement.
• Steve Madden –20% off a purchase of $50 or more.