Found footage: Automate Foursquare with Future Checkins

I'm a fan of Foursquare, the social networking app that allows you to check into locations that you visit. Don't ask me why -- I find it to be somewhat intrusive, but I love the fact that I can be the mayor of a number of places I frequent. The only problem is that if I'm running a lot of errands, pulling out my iPhone to check in at each location can be annoying and time-consuming.

Enter developer Tim Sears, who has come up with the perfect solution for Foursquare aficionados. His new app, Future Checkin (US$0.99 introductory price), uses the backgrounding features of iOS 4 on the iPhone 4 and 3GS to constantly check your location and then automatically check you into Foursquare locations that you frequent. No longer do you have to remember to check in -- your iPhone will do it for you.

Sears does warn you that using Future Checkin will reduce your battery life as it constantly checks your location. I can see where the app would be very useful if you have your iPhone plugged in while running errands, as the battery concerns would be minimized. Future Checkin is definitely a unique solution to a rather silly problem, and I love the fact that I now have one less thing to remember to do.