Foursquare teases next version of their app
For the past few months, foursquare has been rumored to be releasing a new version of their mobile apps in June. It appears we’re getting close to that new version, as foursquare has begun teasing users with images of the new version.
The first teaser was nothing more than an image of the new foursquare splash screen, with a new background and a crown over the logo. It’s the second image, realeased today, that really tells us more about what’s coming in the new version. In the tweet that included the image, foursquare said:
Maps. There are many others like it, but this one is yours. The #allnew4sq is coming soon!
It shows a map (above) with the locations of friends, foursquare Explore results and specials. The map is a brand new feature for foursquare’s mobile apps, but it’s not that foreign to foursquare users. It’s essentially a mobile version of the foursquare homepage map (launched last November), which also features friend locations, recommended places and specials. I would be surprised if this map isn’t paired with a listing of recommendations for your to try right now based on your location and the current time, just as you’ll find on the foursquare homepage.
Based on the rumblings from foursquare HQ over the past few months, it’s clear that the new version will be a continuation of foursquare’s push toward local recommendations and away from the pure check-in space. They’ll be putting all those bits of data we’ve been sharing over the past three years to good use by becoming a more social version of Yelp or Google+ Local.
That doesn’t mean the check-in will be completely forgotten. In fact, one feature that’s expected in the next version is the ability to give friends a shout-out while checking in that’s contextually aware, tagging them by name on foursquare (and possibly even Facebook), while mentioning their handle on Twitter.
It’s been 7 months since foursquare released version 4.0, which introduced Radar (on iOS) and lists integration. There have been a few minor updates since then, but the delay has left users clamoring for the overhauled version.
What do you think of the teasers? What are you hoping for in Version 5.0?
UPDATE (6/1): Another day, another tease. This one confirms that the new version will include “ideas for what to do next.” It appears it will include a much nicer presentation than the version on the website. Since foursquare now has images for the vast majority of their venues, it appears the next version will be a much more visual app.
