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Is it possible that check-ins are just a fad? Can you imagine doing check-ins for the next 10 years, or for the next 30 years?

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I think in their current form (game-ish) they are.

But attaching useful information to real life, that's not, it's just one of the sides of a future internet of things, and I believe that is where we are headed.

Sure - I think Twitter annotations might see some innovative uses in the future. Just not sure if we need an extra app+hype for every category of likeable things.

In fact, why not give everything a URL and be done with it (then the like button would suffice). Maybe that is what is really happening and 4sq et al are just domain grabbing schemes.

The real value of checkins is location based marketing initiatives. This service is an example providing real long term value based on where you are: http://www.shopkick.com/

That's value to the businesses, not the users, though?

I don't think businesses are craving for a way to give you stuff cheaper. They just want to tie you to their business. Is that really an advantage for the shopper?

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