With the release of iOS 6, Apple’s Maps application will reportedly allow for check-ins using the third party Yelp app. Yelp has been one of the more popular applications on iOS and will undoubtedly see growth if included within the default maps app. iOS 6 will see a major change, with a new Apple powered Maps application. Since the original iPhone released in 2007, the ‘Maps’ app had been powered using Google Maps.
Yelp allows users to rate and review an assortment of retail establishments that range from hotels to restaurants to local businesses. The check-in feature would likely have an adverse affect on Foursquare, an app whose primary function is to share your location with friends and family. iOS 6 brings deep Facebook integration, but it appears Apple will favor Yelp for check-ins over the social networking giant.
It seems like somewhat of a curious choice. Sharing your location is typically something one does with a select group of friends. While I’d agree with our review of Yelp that the app does a “outstanding job of helping you make informed decisions on where to shop and eat”, it’s not the app commonly used to share your location. I could see it being useful to find POI’s and get relevant ratings from the large Yelp user base. Checking in, not so much. How about you? How do you use Yelp and will you use it to check-in when you migrate to iOS 6?
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