Engadget reports that Google has integrated leaderboard functionality into Latitude. It’s an attempt that “threatens foursquare under its breath,” but to foursquare, this likely isn’t making anyone run for the hills.
Looking at Latitude holistically, there isn’t much that encourages users to adopt the service and provide location check-in data. Leaderboards, a key part of the foursquare experience, likely will not change that fact. Considering that Latitude has not experienced the same kind of hype a service like foursquare has, it’s unlikely leaderboards will make that much of a difference.
It’s an odd attempt by Google to make Latitude relevant. Time will tell if additional functionality is added on, but in the interim, it looks like Latitude is still behind foursquare, Facebook Places and other geolocation services. And isn’t going anywhere soon.
