Google Adds Deals to Latitude Checkins

Looks like Google’s pressed their “fast forward” button on this check-in game as they’ve rolled out yet another new feature – deals. It’s said that this was only in trial for limited areas and businesses, but Mashable is reporting that the service has been extended to everyone in the nation and a respectable list of partners have signed on to participate.

Those partners include, Arby’s, Macy’s, RadioShack, Finish Line, Famous Footwear, Great Clips, Naturalizer, Tasti D-Lite, Quiznos, Wireless Zone, Cellairis, PostNet and American Eagle Outfitters. Merchants can limit certain deals to those who have a certain status at their store. For instance, a VIP at American Eagle might get 20% off of a pair of pants or a shirt.

It’s not surprising at all as we see this fresh check-in market evolve and as we see all major players rushing to innovate their product to keep up with the times. The addition of deals is a natural extension for technology of this sort and it makes me wonder what we’ll be seeing next in this space from competitors looking to differentiate themselves.