Zaarly a new kind of market for Android

Zaarly, Craigslist's bizarro twin, yesterday released it's native app for Android. If you're unfamiliar with the strangely-named service, it's a bit like a digital bulletin board where you can post requests for goods or services (that you're willing to pay for) in hopes of finding a nearby user to oblige. It launched to the public this past May, and it's backed by some big name tech investors including Twitter-darling Ashton Kutcher.

Here's how the app works. Log into Zaarly, post something you want, how much you're willing to pay for it, and when you need it by. Nearby users will see your posting, and if they've got the goods, or they're willing to provide the services, they can ask the app to connect the two of you straight away. The app conceals your phone number with an anonymous one, so you don't have to worry about getting any creepy calls in the future.

We think Zaarly is a rather brilliantly-conceived idea for meeting what can only be described as "very specific" needs. Just to give you an idea, Zaarly users are looking for everything from used furniture to yard work to burgers hand-delivered to a downtown office building by 7 PM. Once you start to consider what people are actually willing to pay for, the possibilities seem endless. Imagine camping out for some new gadget being released and thinking to yourself, "I'd pay money to get in the front of the line." Well, with Zaarly, you can actually post a request and see if anyone in your immediate vicinity will take you up on your offer.

The new Zaarly app is now available for free download in the Android Market. It's also available for iPhone and on the web at Zaarly.com.