Check In!

So you are one of millions of iPhone users, or perhaps you use a HTC of some sort. Regardless of the smartphone you choose to use for your texting, calling, facebooking, and emailing needs, it's absolutely vital that you install just one more app on your phone. This app is called foursquare. I know that the Facebook application recently added a feature of "checking in" when you are out and about. This allows you to tell your friends when you are at Chipotle, the gym, or if you are twelve and absolutely stupid, you check in at your own house so that the whole internet knows exactly where you live. Foursquare is definitely a derivative of this idea, however it's completely different. The application works by allowing one to check in at different places in a similar manner but goes a few steps further and keeps the childlike jankiness out. I honestly cannot tell you the purpose. However, I can share with you the benefits of becoming an avid Foursquarer.

1. Chances are, if you have a smart phone you are probably addicted to it. You are constantly checking your email, texting, looking at facebook etc. So why not add the "task" of checking in everywhere you go to your smartphone habits?!

2. You can become friends with your cronies on Foursquare. Not only are you friends with them on Facebook and Twitter, but now you are Foursquare friends, honestly, how could you possibly feel more connected?!

3. You have the opportunity to leave "tips" for your friends when you check in at various locations. For example, if you believe that a particular stall in the bathroom of the building you are in is the nicest, you are welcome to share it. Likewise, you can provide advice for people at restaurants along the lines of what to order, etc. You are virtually solving the problem of knowledge withholding.

4. By checking in every time you move you can earn a variety of badges. My only beef with this is that Foursquare doesn't tell you how to earn the badges before you earn them so you can't really create a strategy, you just have to be obsessive and get lucky. But honestly, how hard is that?!

5. You have the chance to earn mayorships of locations. I have no idea why Foursquare sees this as important, but it becomes super competitive and entices one to go to locations they don't even need to be at, just so they can check in and earn mayorships. Furthermore, it gives friends a sense of friendly competition and compels them to use this awesome application even more :)

6. Depending on where you check in, you can earn deals with different companies. Like a coupon of sorts. It pays to be addicted to your phone.

Long story short, this is the most pointless application, maybe second the the Facebook Farmville craze of 2009. Though I will continue to struggle with my Foursquare addiction, I caution one who is considering downloading this bizarre free app.