Foursquare

Virgin Mobile's no-contract iPhone brings savings -- at a cost

It's time to pony up for prepaid iPhones, avoid password scams and drop that mayor obsession:

The iPhone is coming to Virgin Mobile at the end of June. But you'll have to drop a hefty $650 to get the iPhone 4S, since there's no two-year contract. Plans start at $30 a month. It's cheaper in the long run to go prepaid with this plan instead of spending $200 upfront and paying for a more expensive monthly bill for two years (but you'll be limited with talk minutes). Virgin is on the Sprint network.

If Android … Read more

Follow a brand's Page in the new Foursquare app

Early this morning Foursquare rolled out a massive update, including both visual updates along with some great new features. One of which is the capability to easily discover and follow brand Pages. Up until now, there wasn't a streamlined method to follow a brand's Page when using the mobile app. 

Following a brand's page provides Foursquare users with the added benefit of seeing tips and check-ins from a particular brand. There's another incentive for following a Page -- badges.

Some badges can only be unlocked by following a Page and checking into a specific venue. … Read more

Foursquare checks in with a slick new UI

The Foursquare app for both iPhone and Android got a complete redesign in the latest update out moments ago. The streamlined interface uses fewer buttons than older versions but adds changes in functionality based on millions of users' feedback, says Alex Rainert, head of product at Foursquare.

The new redesign simplifies the look with only three buttons across the bottom for Friends, Explore, and your profile. The new Friends tab lets you view a feed of latest activity from your friends with big photographs; lets you comment and "Like" any activity; and check out tips and lists that … Read more

Foursquare gets a face-lift for a better all-around experience (First Take)

By now, "checking in" at coffee shops, bars, restaurants, and sporting events is a common practice across many apps, but it was Foursquare that really made this social activity popular.

Before the announcement, I had a phone interview with Alex Rainert, head of product at Foursquare. Rainert says Foursquare has listened to user feedback and has torn apart the current app for both iOS and Android and rebuilt it anew to make browsing locations around you an easier and richer experience.

With the latest version of Foursquare, the interface has been completely reworked to a much cleaner design … Read more

Let Timehop remind you what you were doing exactly one year ago today

Ever wonder what you were doing exactly one year ago? Or how about what you said on Twitter or Facebook last year? Instagram? What were you saying in text messages? There's an easy way to find out.

Take a trip in a virtual time machine each morning when you wake up by using Timehop.

Timehop will curate your Facebook status updates, your tweets, your Foursquare check-ins, your Instagram photos, and even your text conversations from one year ago, package them together in an entertaining e-mail, and send it to you each morning.

You can get started by visiting the&… Read more

When in Roamz, do as the locals do

Roamz is an "intelligent" local discovery app that pulls real-time data from Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, and Instagram in order to show you what's going on in your area. It can even "learn" what you're into and calibrate its recommendations accordingly.

Roamz opens up to a Hot Now screen, which shows public photos, check-ins, and other status updates originating in your immediate vicinity. So, right off the bat, you can swipe through all of the updates and see if anything looks interesting. For instance, in my trials, I saw that several people checked in to … Read more

The quickest way to check in on Foursquare using Android or iOS

Checking in on Foursquare to unlock points, badges, or create a virtual map of a trip can sometimes feel like a chore. With Checkie (iOS download) or Simple Check-in (Android download) the check-in process takes just a few seconds and two taps on your screen. The first tap launches the app; the second completes the check-in.

After installing Checkie on your iPhone and granting the app permission to access your Foursquare account, you will see a list of nearby venues. To check in, tap on the venue name. You won't be able to add a shout, a photo, or … Read more

Track your Klout score on your iPhone

Klout has released an iPhone app that allows users to track their Klout score while on the go.

Klout tracks your influence over various social networks, offering perks for true "Influencers" as well as advice on how to increase your Klout and influence.

After installing the Klout app on your iPhone, you'll see there isn't a whole lot to it. You are able to view who has given you a +K and in what topic. You can then view that individual's profile and share the +K with your social networks. You won't be able … Read more

Foursquare hits 20 million users, 2 billion check-ins

Foursquare is celebrating its third-annual 4sqDay in impressive fashion.

Whenever users check in on the service today, they'll be awarded the 2012 4sqDay badge, which is accompanied with a message announcing that the startup now has 20 million users worldwide, and has hit a whopping 2 billion check-ins since it was founded in 2009.

"In 2010, Foursquare fans declared April 16 4sqDay (4/4^2 - nerds after our own heart!)," the message that accompanies the badge reads. "Two years and two billion check-ins later, you're still why we get out of bed each day. … Read more