Knock knock: Facebook joins location frenzy with Places so users can share whereabouts

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Facebook checks in to location services

NEW YORK — Facebook users carrying their smart phones will soon be able to check in to real-life locations such as restaurants, bars or live concerts.

It’s the first foray by the world’s largest online social network into the frenzy of location-based services. Rising with the popularity of smart phones, such services let users find coupons, earn quirky merit badges or simply share with friends where they are.

The new feature is called Facebook Places. Sharing your whereabouts with friends is its main focus.

Check-ins will be available on Facebook’s iPhone application Wednesday with a free update users can download, as well as on the site’s touch site used by many other mobile phones.