Foursquare, the trendy geo-location “check-in” tool, updated its mobile app recently to include an improved Leaderboard feature which will give users the chance to compare a 7-day point history with that of their friends as well as an entirely new feature called Explore.  Explore makes restaurant and shopping recommendations based on where you’re at and the places your friends have recently frequented.

Now that Foursquare’s API is open to developers, these two features will soon be incorporated into other apps that give users access to the Foursquare Leaderboard. It’s also only a matter of time before the capabilities present with Explore will incorporate connections to Groupon-like deals with its recommendations.