If it's Web 2.0, I've probably got an account on it. Or, I've given it a whirl, or sampled it once and stopped, due to lack of interest in it. I'm talking about the websites that are making us more social, apparently. Sure, I'm on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and the like, but they are big players, and very well recognised.
Yesterday, however, I've started using trying Foursquare- a new(ish) kind of service where you are truly mobile and connecting with the real world and real people- unlike most of the other websites and their virtual activities and behaviour. Foursquare is essentially a geosocial service, where you "check-in" your location and give an optional message with it. Your "check-in" is posted on your website account, and it's shared among friends and those who care to look at your travels. Optionally, it's shared on your other online identities. You are rewarded with "badges" when you earn certain statuses, such as being a "newbie", Which I, and every other member, received on their first "check-in". Also, if you are a regular at a certain location, or a certain establishment, you are registered as a "Mayor". Unlike other websites, they somewhat force you to be active and mobile- as you cannot check in from your desktop- you must use the applications for the iPhone, Android or the wapsite. Some are regarding this service as groundbreaking, and that it will be as big as Twitter, which I have a strong love for.
Do I see myself sticking with Foursquare? Maybe. The only problem is the ability to update and "check-in". Let me explain:
I don't have a fixed rate data plan (at the moment) on my phone, so I would be paying for a charge of €0.99 for each daythat I would like to access the wapsite to check-in. This would prove very costly if I were to check-in each day. Secondly, it's a far richer experience if using a mobile handset, such as an iPhone, compared to the wap version. I don't have one of these- I've got a Sony Ericsson W995 phone- which I wouldn't trade. If a java application existed, that would help, as I could connect via WiFi from my phone when I arrived at a location. There is free internet in Starbucks, so I would be constantly checking-in there. If there were SMS update services, similar to Agtweet (for Twitter), I'd be sorted.
So, in short; I hope to stay, and probably will, on Foursquare. If you're on it, please share you're experience.
