Geosocial networking seems to be the hottest social trend for 2010. Checkins seems to be the new tweeting. Well it is another story that it took a long time for me to key in my first tweet, up until now I have just a few tweets to my credit. Perhaps, it might just be me!

Though Google was the one of the early providers to introduce geo-location services through Google maps, and later through Latitude and Buzz, it is the plethora of apps for handheld devices and smartphones that fascinate me. Geolocation services from Foursquare, Gowalla, Brightkite, Hotlist, Buzzd amongst others enable their members to check-in at their favorite spots, restaurants, hotels, bars or any place that can be identified by a geo-cordinate.  Many of these services also reward their members for check-ins through member points, badges, pins etc. Foursquare offers the title of a "Mayor" for the most loyal of regulars with the most check-ins. The Mayors are offered freebies from the businesses or establishments that have signed up the service such as free coffee, hotel stays and other things in kind.

Well I may sometimes be tempted to see which of my friends have checked-in to a bar or restaurant, or events or even more which one they frequent often, I am still not sure if I would like my presence to be tracked on a continuous basis. However I do see the benefits of such applications for events, tradeshows, seminars and functions that attract large crowds. Some of the geosocial services that are vying for a piece of the market and action are...

Gowalla - http://gowalla.com

Brightkite - http://brightkite.com

Foursquare - http://foursquare.com  

Grafittigeo - http://www.graffitigeo.com

Hotlist - http://www.thehotlist.com

Loopt - http://www.loopt.com

Whrrl - http://whrrl.com/

Yelp - http://www.yelp.com