For an app that builds around the idea of check-in, it depends on a lot of interaction between the users to offer the user the experience he expects. You sign-in your current location, and wait for friends to give you recommendations about the place, and what you can do around. It is critical that you have a big enough friends circle active on this app.
First off, you can download Foursquare on iOS, Android, Symbian, Blackberry and Palm. Once the app is installed, you can link up with friends on Facebook, Twitter and your phone’s contact list. Whoever has already signed up for the service is sent a friend request, and who haven’t signed up yet are sent an invite.
Now, if the app is open, it’ll detect your current location via the GPS. You can sign-in from here. If you are at someplace you want to write about, you can do that as well – called insider information. A lot of times you will be at places that aren’t listed on the Foursquare database. But fret now, because you can add those places. This is where the activity of your friend circle comes into play. If they happen to have written recommendations about this place, you will get that now. You may even get recommendations about places and activities nearby.
For every check-in that you do, you will earn badges for it. While this feature isn’t active here, but you even get discounts at certain restaurants in the U.S.A. If you happen to check-in at one location the maximum times, you become the mayor.
Overall, this is an app that doesn’t have much purpose, unless you are the explorer types. But if you are, then the chance to earn badges may just be the motivation you need.
Price: Free to download
Specs: Available for iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia and Palm; location based check-in; social network for recommendations and reviews
Overall Rating: 6.5