Check-in Apps – presented by FoneGigs

Here is a look at popular check-in apps that let you know where you and your friends are. Also, they are a great way to earn points and rewards from participating local businesses.

Tagwhat is a check-in application that allows you to create and share location based messages and content on-line or in mobile augmented reality. What? Think of Tagwhat like this – Twitter meets Foursquare. You can check-in, create digital tags or upload digital pictures using this check-in app. Check out the video below or read about Tagwhat here.

Gowalla is a location-based mobile and web app that encourages people to share their favorite places with their friends. With your Smartphone, check-in apps Gowalla and Foursquare (which we will discuss in a minute) allow you to share your places of interest with friends. These check ins can be shared on the web with Facebook and Twitter.

Not yet released, but highly anticipated, Facebook is planning on launching a check-in functionality for the social site. Supposedly, a mobile version of Facebook will grab your location information from your phone and on the Facebook page there will be a list of places around you where you can check in.

Taken from their LinkedIn profile – “Foursquare is 50% friend-finder, 30% social cityguide, 20% nightlife game. We wanted to build something that not only helps you keep up with your friends, but exposes you to new things in and challenges you to explore cities in different ways.”

Recently Foursquare announced that it is improving their algorithm for serving up “places” when users open its check in apps to check-in. The new algorithm takes into consideration time of day, proximity, and popularity of the venue in deciding which places to show you.

Now if you want an app that gives out real-world rewards, you should check out Loopt. It is integrated with Facebook and works something like this. For example, if you check-in Ferragamo a couple of times, Ferragamo can instantly give you a 20% discount. (Marketing Manager from Ferragamo, hope you are paying attention because I want some new shoes, but don’t want to pay the full price). I don’t need to be the Mayor of a Ferragamo store, I want discounts and this is why there is a big reason to use Loopt. Brands can adjust rewards based on location and time of day. This is awesome!

Out of all these check-in apps, which one do you prefer? Comment why…

Thanks!

Eric Melchor, Founder – FoneGigs - The FIRST job board dedicated to Mobile Marketing and Mobile Application Developer Jobs.