tech.tarts

The tarts are hooked on our new favorite app called Foursquare, a location-based social network that lets you connect with friends using GPS via your mobile device at your favorite places.

This app is so addictive because you can check in at your hot spots and leave tips about what you love, see where your friends are checking in and receive deals from the businesses you check in at or specials nearby. But the best part is the game element that allows you to earn points, badges and become the mayor of your favorite place.

Here’s how it works: The tarts have our usual TechTart Tuesday meeting but this time we get together at the new San Francisco restaurant Tacolicious and I check in with my iPhone on the Foursquare app.   I also add a tip to my friends when I check in that you can get a shot of tequila, a Tecate beer, and a taco for $10 which I have the option of sharing with just my friends on Foursquare or also through Twitter and Facebook.

I now receive points for checking in at Tacolicious and am alerted that there is a special nearby.  It appears that if I become the mayor of another restaurant Pacific Catch, which would be easy since I live for the Ahi Poke Wasabi Bowls and sweet potato fries, I can receive a free starter per day for the week that I am the mayor!  And, since this is the 50th place I’ve checked into (told ya it’s addictive) I have now received the Superstar Badge.

Just like the original game you played as a kid, you win by making it to the fourth square and staying there longer than anyone else, which in this case then makes you the mayor.  Mayorship of your favorite place clearly has its rewards and each week on Sunday night the slate is wiped clean for anyone, even new players, to then frequent a spot and become the mayor of that place.  I have been the mayor of my favorite fro-yo shop and received free fro-yo that week only to be bumped the next!   Boy did my competitive nature kick in and I was back as the mayor of MY fro-yo shop the next week (note I’m not mentioning the place so you won’t be my competition!).

The badges are also a lot of fun and sometimes totally random.  I found it utterly amusing when I checked into the W Hotel’s XYZ bar and immediately received the Douchbag Badge, take note, apparently this is a place Douchbags frequent   I also received the Crunked Badge after a girls night out left me checking into more than three locations in one night, hilarious!

Apparently it’s not just the tarts who heart Foursquare, the Bravo channel just aired their commercial sharing that you can get tips on places from your favorite bravolebrity including The Millionaire Matchmaker, Rachel Zoe and The Real Housewives and earn exclusivity badges.

You have to be at a location or at least in its vicinity to be able to check in so people can’t cheat and it is interesting to see the locations people are adding to the mix.  I was on the bus heading to Union Square for a day of shopping when I was explaining Foursquare to my friend and a guy next to us informed us he was the mayor of the 45 bus!

I do wish Foursquare would add a Shopaholic Badge or something like it because after hitting Barneys, Metier, H&M and a few more of my favorite stores I received a notice from Foursquare telling me to take it easy on the check ins.  I’m sure they are trying to keep things from getting nutty but boys DO realize girls DO shop till we drop when we are on a mission for the new Spring pieces we must have and deserve a badge for our hard work!

Overall, this is the best app I have used since Shazam and it seems to only be getting better.  I love that it is a real game with real people playing and the more of my friends and even the more strangers that I play with the more fun it is.  Foursquare is available for the iPhone, Blackberry, Android, Palm and more so be sure to add the TechTarts on Foursquare and let the games begin!  Just watch out, because you don’t want to knock me from my mayorship, I will take you out

xoxo

tt.c

twitter- @CristinaSF

PS If you have a Foursquare story share the fun in the comment box below!  This game is just getting crazier every day and we’d love to hear about your mayorships, badges and more!