Top 8 Check In Apps iPhone

Back in 2010, one of the most prominent and exciting new breeds of app was the check in app, but how would you define such an app? Well, put simply, a check in app allows you to announce you’re at a place or doing something in particular. It’s an idea that was jumped upon almost at once by a bunch of different developers, including those behind Foursquare, Brightkite, Gowalla, and even Google got in the act with Latitude. It seemed to be the next big thing, and over the course of that year the range of different and specialized check in apps only increased, but then just as quickly dropped off. Part of the reason for this was the fact that users could do the same thing with their social network of choice, whether it be Facebook or Twitter. That said, there are still a few check in apps out there that are worth your time. Many of these lean towards a specific direction, such as social planning or finding a restaurant, or whatever. We take a look at some of these.

8. Rally (Free)

Rally is less a check in app and more a social planning network, or “social nightwork” as the developers behind this app have christened it. The app allows you to see what people are out among your friends and acquantances, as well as the events that are on in your area and who is attending. The way the app works is very simple: you simply set your status to green, yellow or red to say if you’re going to be available, and then choose hashtags to give others an idea of what you’re up for doing that night. Simple, right? – Download from iTunes

7. Zomato (Free)

Like many check in apps, Zomato is one that boasts some check in functionality but is more about discovering places around you – in this case, restaurants. This one is almost like TripAdvisor but for restaurants, yet still lacks the coverage of this popular crowd driven social resource. Still, Zomato remains an excellent way to find new places to eat, whether you are exploring your own city or abroad in a foreign land! – Download from iTunes

6. Knowzz (Free)

Knowzz is quite similar to another app, Who You Do, and is a service based on user recommendations rather than reviews. It’s a lot like TripAdvisor, too, except it puts a special emphasis on collecting recommendations, rewarding you for providing your own opinion and as such boosting the crowd driven capabilities of the app in the process. Upon visiting a restaurant or other specific business, you can then make recommendations to others and share them with friends through different networks. You can even search recommendations in a given region, which is a nice way of finding things to do locally. – Download from iTunes

5. OpenTable (Free)

OpenTable is another food-related check in app, this time with more of an emphasis on the visiting rather than the discovering. The app will allow you to explore your local area in order to find a restaurant to suit your desires, then will allow you to make a reservation through the app – share this resservation with others, etc. The app also allows you to view such things as reviews for each restaurant, as well as detailed photos of the establishment and a copy of the menu, so that you can actually pick what you want to order for dinner before you even get dressed. – Download from iTunes

4. Yelp (Free)

While I far from agree with Yelp’s shady business practices, the kinds of which have been reported on sites such as Reddit and TechCrunch, it remains a very valuable resource when it comes to finding the best establishments in our town. Part of the charm of apps such as TripAdvisor is that they are audience driven, meaning that you get the true lowdown on a place before you visit, including all those very unflattering photos of restaurant food. The idea that Yelp would be willing to change these reviews to be more positive with investment from the businesses in question is nothing short of scandalous. Still, the community behind Yelp is a fantastic way to discover new spots and connect with like minded people. – Download from iTunes

3. Foursquare (Free)

Foursquare was really at the head of the queue when the check in apps first took the world by storm, and as such is perhaps the most recognizable brand out there to promote this specific check in functionality. While other alternatives have fallen by the wayside in the years since, Foursquare has remained, thanks largely to its qualities as a social networking tool and the way it has evolved in order to suit the needs of each generation of diferent users. The developers behind this app also recently took the check in functionality and social netwotking aspects and split these off into a spin off app called Swarm, and have also rebooted the Foursquare app in many different areas. Perhaps the one area Foursquare has improved in recently is when it comes to recommendations, making it easier than ever before to find something to suit you in your area. – Download from iTunes

2. TripAdvisor (Free)

TripAdvisor is less a check in app and more a discovery app that makes its money catering to travelers, but is actually just as useful when exploring your hometown. As someone living in a city with a population in the millions, I can vouch for TripAdvisor as an absolutely essential resource when it comes to discovering new places to go and things to see, with a particular emphasis upon restaurants. Years ago, your only way to tell if a restaurant was any good before visiting was by checking out (often, paid for) testimonials or speaking to someone who had visited in the past. TripAdvisor is crowd-driven, so basically takes the latter of these things and expands it to give you thousands of opinions on a given establishment, from a review and rating to actual photos of the food you are eating. – Download from iTunes

1. Swarm (Free)

As mentioned above, Swarm is an offshoot of Foursquare and looks to follow in the footsteps of other social networks such as Twitter than become almost reward based in nature. I recently heard someone describe Twitter as one of the best video games around, since it draws you in and entices you to impove your following, rewarding you in the process – as such, making the use of the app very much an addition. Swarm by Foursquare does something similar, encouraging users to check in in order to earn prizes, and then compete with friends to see who is having the best week in terms of social events and activity. The app allows you to keep track of where you’ve been and who you’ve been hanging out with, and gives you the chance to take on specific tasks such as becoming the “mayor” of a specific location by visiting it more often. These small social milestones may seem like almost a gimmick on reflection, but it does work to get more people out and about and that can only be a good thing, right? – Download from iTunes