PhoneTalk

If you're someone who has a wallet full of loyalty cards or stored in a drawer somewhere CardStar is a mobile app worth checking out. In short, the app in its current form lets you store all your loyalty card information in one place (currently available for the iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry smartphones). In addition to having the information in one spot, it can also locate nearby stores and you can even use it in the store to redeem loyalty points or discounts when purchasing items. Sounds pretty good already, doesn't it?

The newest version of CardStar adds quite a few new features in its latest software release. According to CardStar CTO Danny Espinoza the latest update is "bringing location into old style loyalty programs." The company is doing this by integrating FourSquare into the app and consumers who use FourSquare a lot will be eligible for unique promotions. For example, every time you go to CVS and use the app's FourSquare feature you become eligible for additional promotional opportunities. Instead of just becoming the Mayor of your local CVS store, you may even get more perks for your CVS loyalty card. Additionally, you can choose to save that particular CVS as a Favorite Place and each time you're in that store it will open the app for you.

The company has also added another feature called CardStar Connect that lets you create an anonymous user ID so when you get a new smartphone (iPhone, Android, or BlackBerry) you can download the app enter your user ID and the app will get all of your loyalty information so that you don't need to re-enter it on each new cell phone you use.

The newest update will initially be available for iPhone users (and will work with phones running iPhone OS 3 and later - so you can even it use it on an iPod Touch) this week at the app store. While versions for Android and BlackBerry cell phones will be coming soon. To learn more about getting CardStar (by the way, the app is free) visit MyCardStar.com.

Topics: Phone Smarts Customer service BlackBerry Android Apple Apps