Happy #4SqDay!!!

Happy FourSquare Day!!!

Today, 4/16, we celebrate the goodness that is FourSquare! For the uninitiated, FourSquare is an app for your mobile phone that allows you to “check-in” to a place through geo-location. There are some definite gamification elements (including becoming the Mayor of a location if you have the most check-ins over 60 days), but over the years it has also become a tool for finding the cool new spots that are nearby.

I am a HUGE fan of FourSquare. It was one of the very first apps I downloaded for my original Motorola Droid. I’ve been an avid user ever since December 9, 2009 when I first checked in at the Central Park – Conservatory Garden. You may be wondering how I know this? Well, back in June of last year FourSquare partnered with Samsung for the FourSquare Time Machine to help promote their newest phone at the time, the Galaxy S4. Back then it spit out this cool graphic with my FourSquare history.

So last night I went back and re-ran the numbers to get this little gem…

Pretty cool huh? I think the count is off regarding my visit to the Dunkin Donuts in the morning, but other than that I really can’t compare. I’m definitely more business oriented than amusement oriented, I prefer coffee over beer and wine, and I definitely take more trains than planes.

Usually for #4SqDay they do a special badge for anyone who checks in during those 24 hours. Sadly, I’ve learned that they won’t be doing a badge this year. I get the whole concept of needing to evolve your app and change… but if you forget your roots you’ll be likely losing your biggest fans.

Even though there’s no badge this year, I’ll still keep using FourSquare. It’s an app that has become part of my daily routine for 4.5 years and counting for a few reasons. I like to have this type of analytical data to look at, I like being able to know (and share) where I’ve been, and I do love getting me some badges!

Obviously that’s the former Boy Scout in me on that last one.

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