Foursquare Updates Its App To Move Beyond The 'Check-In' And Appeal To The Mainstream

Flickr / dpstylesA couple months ago, we talked to a source close to Foursquare who told us that the company knows "checking-in" to restaurants and bars will never go mainstream, and that it was re-jiggering its app to make it useful for people who didn't want to.

Yesterday that update finally arrived.

It makes Foursquare more of an app for deciding where and what to do, and less about getting your friends to join you there.

Here's the official blog post:

Whether your go-to brunch spot is too crowded, or you’re walking around looking for dinner options after a movie, it’s great to be able to find places quickly. With today’s iPhone release, we’ve updated Explore to show you more recommendations on a single screen, so you can compare results and make decisions faster.

Just like before, we’ll show you the relevant info to help you decide: you can quickly see the ratings, friends who have been, money-saving specials, and useful insider tips. Tap through on a place to see even more, like directions and menu items.

You’ll see the redesigned look as soon as you tap on Explore. We’ll show you our top suggestions for places in the area, along with highlights like new spots in the neighborhood and places that are trending. As always, tap on the search bar up top when you’re looking for something specific.

Update the app now and give it a try!