Windows 8 may still be considerably bereft when it comes to popular apps, but in a fortnight that has seen a working Instagram app arrive on the mobile version of Microsoft’s fledgling platform, Foursquare for Windows 8 has just made its long-awaited appearance over at the Windows Store. First unveiled at Microsoft’s BUILD dev conference back in June, the turnaround has been fairly swift, and now fans of the social check-in service can collect their badges, make and view recommendations, and strive for mayorship using the new app.
A bit of a coup for the Redmond company is that Foursquare for Windows 8 / RT is, as per the official Windows blog, “the first official Foursquare app for large-screen devices, available exclusively on Windows 8.”
Taking advantage of the increased real-estate, the Foursquare for Windows 8 / RT app also makes good use of the platforms unique traits. The Search Charm, for example, makes it easy for you to source new places of interest, discover interesting locations, and find new buddies.
Not only is Foursquare great for planning and taking note of places visited, but the check-in feature also allows you to keep up with where your friends have visited. The map offers a general overview of what’s happening around you, you can readily source those places offering special deals, as noted by a small orange square.
The interface of the Windows 8 / RT app is, quite simply, a joy to behold. For all of the criticism thrown the way of Microsoft’s universal platform, it certainly didn’t skip a single day of Charm School, and the Foursquare app takes full advantage, allowing users to effortlessly flit between the numerous features.
For a first release, it seems to operate without any sort of fuss, and you can really tell how much work Foursquare has put into making the experience as pleasurable as possible.
As ever, the app is absolutely free of charge, and can be downloaded via the official link below. Like Windows 8 itself, it feels a much more natural experience on a Windows 8 / RT tablet, but if you don’t happen to have one handy, you should still give it a whirl on your PC or notebook.
(Download: Foursquare for Windows 8 on the Windows Store)
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