LBS Tidbits
Forrester Research’s latest study suggests that location-based start-ups may not be the best marketing vehicle right now. Why? Use is low and that usage is heavily male.
Forrester reports only 4% of U.S. online adults have ever used location-based mobile apps such as Foursquare andn oly 1% check in more than once a week. More interesting: 84% of respondents are not even aware of the services.
- Ad Age
New service face2face is yet another “find my friends” app - but with some twists. Instead of signing up you use it in conjunction with existing social networks (Facebook, for example). And, you are only notified when friends are closeby. And, their exact location is not given out.
Google updated its Maps for Android (version 4.4) on Monday in the Android Market to make its Place Pages business listings more usable. In doing so, Google’s solution for taking business listings mobile resembles Yelp’s Android feature set more than it ever has before.
- C|net
MyTown (from Booyah) now offers a product check-in. “Product check-in works similar to location check-in, but instead of relying on your iPhone’s GPS capabilities it will rely on your camera. Players will be able to scan the barcodes of real items to earn points and unlock exclusive in-game content.” The idea is getting someone that close to, or actually holding the item, increases the likelihood of buying it. We’ll see.
- Booyah blog
- Gamezebo
Foursquare has signed deals with cable tv channel VH1 and Chili’s restaurants.
