ShopKick, the mobile shopping app with a unique twist on location-based engagement, has come out with impressive numbers detailing how the startup has grown since its launch in August of last year.

ShopKick forgoes the ever-popular “checkin” concept and instead uses a proprietary signaling method.  When someone using one of ShopKick’s free mobile apps walks into a store that has integrated the ShopKick system, a signal is detected and the app subsequently delivers reward points called “kickbucks” to the user.  Kickbucks are rewarded for anything the store desires, such as simply walking into the store, or actions such as trying on clothes, scanning a product barcode and more.  These kickbucks can then be redeemed across all partner stores for gift card rewards or for Facebook Credits.  Users can also receive special discounts on specific products at partners stores like Macy’s, Best Buy or Target.

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It’s called Trover, a new mobile discovery network startup engendered by Expedia.com founder and Zillow co-founder Rich Barton.

The free iPhone application allows its users to share “location-specific discoveries” via popular social networking platforms like Facebook, Twitter and, of course, email.

An Android version planned for fall.

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With nearly a half million apps currently residing in the Apple App Store, it’s safe to say that most will get lost in the mix, blamed mostly on over-simplicity and/or sheer irrelevance.  Many apps we see today are just like the hundreds before it, or perform a novelty function that only gets used once before being deleted.

What does it take to stand out from the noise?  How about a military grade GPS tactical navigation system that can call in air support, direct artillery fire and relay real-time information from the battlefield.  Yeah, there’s an app for that.  Army Capt. Johnathan Springer used his knowledge and experience from serving as an artillery specialist with the 101st Airborne Division to create what’s most likely one of the most advanced iPhone applications to date.

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It was announced recently that Apple will begin selling readers from mobile-payment startup Square in its Online and retail stores.  With the surprising announcement, however, what does it mean for Apple’s alleged NFC efforts?

Square’s devices, which are normally offered for free and work together with the company’s iPhone/iPod Touch and iPad apps, will be offered in Apple retail stores starting this week, according to both companies.  The devices are already available in Apple’s Online store.  The cost from Apple will be $9.95, though users purchasing the device from Apple will receive a $10 credit on their account.

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Its been announced that Peekaboo Mobile, makers of an app for iPhone and Android that lets users find nearby coupon offers, has been acquired by local content and advertising provider nSphere for an undisclosed — reportedly “seven figure”– sum.

Peekaboo, which launched just last year, gives local business owners the opportunity to create coupons which are then available via its mobile applications and partner channels.  Its partner network includes the location based app “Where” as well as CardStar, a membership card management service.  “Through these relationships we can reach over 50 million consumers,” Peekaboo Mobile founder Ben Dolgoff said.

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No one will be calling KFC‘s marketing planner a “chicken” when it comes to taking risks in contemporary mobile advertising.

KFC has effectively rolled out a bucket full of mobile marketing’s hottest tools of the trade to promote its Hot Wings.

KFC’s expansive campaign includes everything from in-app and mobile Web display advertising to ad space within Backbreaker 2 – a popular mobile football gaming application for the iPhone.

The National Chicken Council (NCC) estimates that Americans will eat more than 13.5 billion chicken wings (more than 3 billion pounds) in 2011, with demand spiking in January because of football bowl games and playoffs.

In other words, there’s no better time than now for KFC to venture into mobile territory so aggressively.

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Visa today launched its official iPhone application that also marks the company’s first foray into location-based mobile marketing.

Like many LBS apps already available, Visa’s new iPhone app will determine a users location to serve up nearby offers from participating retailers.  The app stores each customized offer and allows the user to redeem Online or in brick and mortar locations.  Upon opening the app and clicking on an offer, a map is then displayed with directions on where to redeem the offer from retail stores.  For launch, Visa is working with around 50 hand-picked retailers such as 24 Hour Fitness, Meineke, New York & Company, Holiday Inn, Hard Rock Café and Zales, with many more on the horizon.

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