Google adds smartphone ‘check-in’ deals

Google has added a Latitude feature that allows people to use iPhones or Android-powered smartphones to get rewarded for loyalty to shops or restaurants.

The feature that Google launched across the United States lets people unlock discounts by regularly using location-sharing Latitude applications to check in at a select set of establishments.

According to Google Maps software engineer Douglas Graham, checking in lets you share the places that you visit and add context to your Latitude location for friends and family. At the same time, you can keep a history of where you’ve been while gaining status at the places you visit the most.

Google partners included clothing stores of American Eagle Outfitters, RadioShack consumer electronics shops, and fast-food chains Quiznos and Arby’s.

People can check-in places using location-sensing capabilities in smartphones, with deals improving as they advance from “Regular” visitors to “VIP” status and then “Guru” level.

Businesses involved with Latitude check-ins can create their own ranks for frequent visitors. For example, Quiznos has a “Champion of Taste” rank.

Information about the program and companies involved was available online at google.com/latitude/check-in.

The check-in feature was added to a Latitude service that lets people with GPS-enabled Android smartphones share their whereabouts with selected friends.