Tommy Collison

The latest social networking that’s slowly becoming mainstream is one which puts more onus on the location-based parts of networking sites. Enter stage left — Four Square!

Four Square revolves around ‘checking in’ at locations like bars, cafés, restaurants and even shops. You connect with friends and so you can see where your pals are and meet up with them. People can’t see where you’re checking in unless you accept their friendship request — which takes care of some privacy concerns, and you only check into places you want to (it’s not automatic — you have to open the app and select your location (e.g. Eason’s, 40 O’Connell Street) from a list of nearby Four Square spots). If where you are isn’t listed, you can add it, and then other people who come to where you are will see “Eason’s, 40 O’Connell Street” on the list of nearby Four Square spots. When you check in, you gain points, and a leader board of you and your friends can be seen on their website/mobile application. It resets every Sunday at 11.59pm, so points are only good to you for a week before everyone reverts to 0. The person with the most check-ins at one location becomes the ‘mayor’ of that location.

Why?

First and foremost, local Italian restaurant La Cucina are giving away pizza slices to mayors of the restaurant. :D

As with all social networks, interaction is what makes it fun. I can see that Patrick Collison has checked in at La Cucina, so I can go meet him there. Also, I can see popular cafés in an unfamiliar cities by how many people have checked in.. or at least one where I’d fit in (heavy technology users for the win!)

Also, bragging rights play a big role. You get a real-time leaderboard that shows how many points you and the people you ‘friend’ are on. Also, mayorship is a hotly contested role, and interneceine revolts are not not uncommon:

Four Square requires an internet connection to ‘check-in’ at spots, and all major smartphones are supported (iPhones, Andriods and Blackberries. Those are device/app store links, by the way). Normal-phone SMS check in is available in the USA and should be available here in Ireland soon.