The entire idea of location-based social networking lost its shine a while back. Sensing this, Foursquare split its app into two parts; the main app focused on recommendations for places to eat, drink and socialise while check-ins were gamified to become Swarm, an app that bestowed points and virtual mayorships on those who remembered to note their daily visits to eateries et al. Once again, the company has pivoted to focus on a new app with baked in AI and a desire to guide you to the best restaurants and bars in town. Marsbot is an intelligent chatbot of sorts: it gives text-based “contextually-aware, proactive recommendations”, learning what you like. Except that it’s not a chatbot says Foursquare; based on location, it gives answers before you even ask the question. For now, it is being tested in New York and San Francisco.

[ http://blog.foursquare.com/post/144872708248/ introducing-marsbotOpens in new window ]