Where are you?

Location based social networks (What?!) are expected to be the next hot thing. First, let me explain what location based networks are: location-based service is any information, entertainment, or social media service that is available on a mobile device, and makes use of geographical position. No mobile phone, no location based network (but then again: who doesn’t have a cell phone nowadays? No, your grandparents don’t count). And then the social part: you should know what social networks are by now. If not: either you didn’t read my blog or I am not good at explaining things.

Anyway, one of the best known location based social networks is Foursquare. I hear you thinking: nice, but what on earth can I do with it? Well, Foursquare is a web and mobile application that allows registered users to connect with friends and update their location. After you set up a Foursquare account you can link it to your address book, Facebook and Twitter. In this way you can discover where your friends are hanging out. Besides that you can see where your friends are, you can also tell your friends where you are by checking in at one of the thousands of places that Foursquare lists, automatically based on your GPS location. You can leave tips about special features you find around town, such as that the banana smoothie at some bar is very tasty (or not). Other people who check in at that bar can read your comment and you can read comments of others. With this comments feature you can read recommendations on where to go, what to do or what to avoid. But this is not all: It is not just a GPS tool, it is also a game. By checking in at locations you can earn points. The more often you check in, the more points you earn. If you check in at a location more than anyone else you will become the mayor of that location. Yay! Okay, you won’t get paid for this “job” of being a mayor and the mayor of your town does get a salary. However, it is possible that you will get rewards from the company for being a loyal customer.

So, are you already downloading the Foursquare application on your mobile phone? Or don’t you care whatsoever about these location based social networks? Well, I am not a user yet. I don’t like being followed everywhere I go; I’d like to keep that last bit of privacy I have. Besides, I never really had the ambition to become a mayor…