Foursquare opens up API to Explore and Leaderboard Data

Foursquare continues to expand as one of the leaders in the geo location social network space.  They’ve already done a tremendous job of getting consumers to check in everywhere with gaming elements including badge collecting, leaderboards and the notoriety of becoming a venue’s Mayor.  They have had great adoption by brands and brick-and-mortar venues to offer incentives and deals for check ins.

Foursquare has stated that in addition to dominating in the realtime check in space, they intend to lead in the area of “anticipating” where a consumer might like to go.  That’s where their latest areas of development came in a few months ago: Explore and Recommendations.

Today they announced that they are extending their API for developer access to Explore and new Leaderboard features.  This should be a major boost for Foursquare’s ecosystem, much like Twitter’s widely adopted API resulted in hundreds of Twitter-related apps.  It will be interesting to see what developers come up with.

What do you think?  Are you a Foursquare check in junkie?

#thatswhatshesaid

Thank you Ignite Social  Media.  I love all of your clever social media badges; it’s hard to pick a favorite!  I just wish I had seen you at SXSW for the stickerbook!

What happened to the Web Design Community?

If you’ve been around the Internet since the beginning, you would wholeheartedly agree with Vitaly Friedman over at Smashing Magazine. With all of the technology changes, something else has changed – the design community.  Could be the over expanding shape of the information landscape, could be that the first batches of web designers are getting older, could be that younger designers have adopted whole new means of communication – definitely all of the above and more.

Vitaly raises important issues and makes some solid recommendations about how to re-engage in the web design community.  If you care about web design, make the time to read his article.

Animatable – A Promising new CSS3 Animation Tool

A first look at Animatable from Andy Clarke on Vimeo.

Animatable is a promising new CSS3 tool to create animations deployable across Webkit browsers on any platform or device – this means web browsers and mobile devices such as Android, BlackBerry and iPhones!

The d.Fund will focus on Designer-Centric Startups

Always refreshing to hear designers get recognized! The d.Fund aims to increase the number of start-ups co-founded by people who have design experience. Read more at TechCrunch.

Reaching Generation Z – The Real Tastemakers!

Generation Z = Today’s teenagers.  They are the real Tastemakers.  Recognize that it is no longer just about brand, but about what one “likes” – and being able to share that sentiment easily.  Read Kathy’s Savitt’s insightful post at Mashable.

Guy Kawasaki speaks about his new book “Enchantment”

Guy Kawasaki is a wonderful technology and social media icon to follow. Check out this recent talk he gave on his new book “Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions”.

Also check out my blog from Guy’s “Entrepreneur 2.0 Tips for Success” talk from last year.