Google’s attraction discovery app Field Trip launches on iOS hours before SXSW

Google’s location-based Field Trip application has just made its way to the iTunes App Store today, after previously having been Android-only. The app, which works a little bit like Google Now, runs in the background on your phone then automatically shows you information about nearby businesses, including places to shop, dine, and be entertained.

Not entirely coincidentally, a location-discovery app from a startup called Spindle, also rolled out an update today which does something very similar. Both apps are likely competing to get in the hands of SXSW attendees at the forthcoming Austin, Texas-based event where thousands of people converge. It’s a place which has historically served as a beta testing ground for new services focused on local and social.