Foursquare! What the heck is Foursquare? That’s exactly the same question I asked myself, when I first read about it at Nokia Experts. Apparently Matt from NE has been testing the beta version of the app and has been given the thumbs up from the developers to spill some info on the app, ahead of its release.

So what is this Foursquare all about? Well its a cross-breed between an augmented reality and social networking apps. Confused? Get it clarified, after the break though.

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Chris Burris, the developer of app deserves a pat on his back for making this more as a game rather than an app. It’s something akin to location sharing service on the lines of Google latitude but it goes beyond that. Users can “shout” their status to Twitter and Facebook, after “checking-in” their location with Foursquare. Now that’s a great way to flaunt your traveling accomplishments with your friends, ain’t it?

Further, users can leave tips at each location, say suggestions for sight-seeing places at a popular or not so popular tourist destination, or restaurant suggestions on a busy expressway etc. This is where the Barriosquare community will come into picture and from the pace at which it’s catching up, it looks very promising indeed.

Like the frequent flyers program of the airliners, Foursquare has it’s own system of rewarding frequent visitors in the form of “badges”. The highest badge one can get is that of “Mayor”, which entitles the user to perks like free coffee, ice-cream, hotel stays etc.

This is one of the most promising confluence of GPS, 3G and networking services that I have seen in a single application and personally just cannot wait to get my hands on this one. Now only if Barriosquare would have a wide user base everywhere, would the app realise its true potential but give it sometime and it should be able to generate a considerable fan following.