The problem with having such a competitive location-based social app market is that consumers aren't sure just which service is going to win out in the long run.

As a result, a fair portion of users have more than one app on their handset, meaning the process of checking in using each and every one can drag.

Brightkite recently suggested it was working on an API to link up its own service with that of its rivals, enabling players to check-in on multiple apps with just one tap. Now it would appear that its universal check-in system could be ready to go.

A placeholder at check.in suggests the app of the same name is bound for iPhone and Android, its creators – Brightkite's Martin May, Brady Becker, and Jordan Harband – claiming it "takes the hassle out of checking in on multiple services" and was developed as a result of "severe check-in fatigue".

The screenshots seem to show the icons of Gowalla, Foursquare and obviously Brightkite itself, although given that Gowalla's API is currently read-only, some form of co-operation between the two parties must surely have been secured.

Whether other apps will also come on board is still up in the air. Check.in's release date is simply listed as "coming soon".
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