links for 2010-08-05

"Shopkick is a dream come true for location app junkies: A mobile app that will know your whereabouts and will automatically check you in once you’ve arrived at a given location. It’s also a great boon for brands. This kind of auto-checkin eliminates cheating and allows companies and brands to target and reward the true faithful with points and real-world rewards.
The service uses Foursquare’s API, and today it announced a partnership with Best Buy and upcoming deals with Macy’s and other retailers. Shopkick’s Signal technology doesn’t require users to check in, and it verifies that the user is actually, physically present in a retail location before unlocking any promotional perks. Users can get access to gift cards, movies, music downloads, gadgets and more with their actions. One of the rewards for actions, which include walk-ins and item-scans, is a virtual currency called 'kickbucks'."

"Who would pay to use Twitter? Nobody, according to a study by the Center for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California Annenberg School For Communication And Journalism"

"PhotoCity is a game played outdoors, with any camera, even a cell-phone camera. By taking photos of buildings around your city or school campus, you can earn points, capture flags, and virtually own your favorite buildings, all while contributing to a large-scale 3D reconstruction!"

"The government's first attempt at crowdsourcing its coalition programme has ended without a single government department expressing a willingness to alter any policy."