The social geo-tagging app Foursquare has just been elevated to version 3.0 on Android and the iPhone, and brings with it a whole slew of new features that go beyond just ‘checking in’ at your favorite hot spots.
The new version of the popular app, which lets users share specific information about where they are at any given moment, adds a feature that gives users ‘smart’ recommendations about what new places they should visit.
The Explore menu shows users a list of suggested places, using an algorithm behind the scenes that takes into account where the user has checked in before, what places are nearby, what time of day it is, and what has been ranked the highest from other users.
In an interview with the Observer, Foursquare chief Alex Rainert said of the new software, “This has been the vision since the beginning. The entire Foursquare experience is moving to the next level, beyond the check-in or the game.”
Foursquare has managed to find big success in the social networking world, due to the fact that it was the first of its kind and because it has seamless integration with Facebook.
Business owners have embraced the platform, with some local restaurants or shops giving users a discount on their purchase if they ‘check in’ to the establishment from Foursquare.
Foursquare has also become popular because of its ‘video game’ type achievement system. Users earn badges and awards for checking into certain areas, checking in a specific amount of times, and using the app to connect with others.
