SCVNGR puts focus on social check-ins with bump technology

So far the bumping of phones is a technique rarely employed outside of the exchanging of contact details, but one of the latest location-based apps has decided to implement it into its check-in system.

SCVNGR, which launched on iPhone and Android in May, now allows users to check-in en masse. Physically bumping phones together with the app running now places everyone in that location in one go.

These check-ins can be expanded beyond the originally supported two users, with extra points awarded for parties of up to five.

It's an attempt by the app, which initially started out as a challenge-based software package aimed at tourist traps, to transform check-ins from a solo experience to a social one.

Bumps can also be linked to Facebook and Twitter.

Seriously social

Users will be encouraged to make SCVNGR part of nights out with friends as well as trips out on their own, with CEO Seth Priebatsch telling VentureBeat that the app now has the ability to go beyond its rivals.

"It's friends at a bar, drink in one hand, bumping phones with the other hand, checking in at the same time. Think of it as the '21st century high-five'," he told the site.

SCVNGR isn't the first app to try and branch out from solo check-ins, however.

Back in March, Foursquare announced it was to change its check-in history set-up on the web to link up users who checked in at the same places as the same time, so social events could be marked off in the timeline.

[source: VentureBeat]