Swarm from Foursquare was recently released as part of the company's strategy to separate its location-based check-in functions from the main Foursquare app, which will take on a more focused Yelp-like dimension when it's released later this summer. But Swarm is much more than just a way for Foursquare to "unbundle."

Swarm is now out for iPhone and Android, and it covers a lot of the bases of the original Foursquare app, while introducing some new innovative features.

First off, Swarm has a pleasant, honey-orange theme that looks great on Android and iOS, and since it only does one half of Foursquare's full feature list, it's got a wonderfully simple four-tab interface.

Like Foursquare, Swarm is primarily a check-in and social status update app. You can still check out where friends last checked in -- what they're doing, whom they're with and what photos they've taken. You can also still find friends who checked in nearby and broadcast your own location and activities with the click of the check-in button.

An Easier Way to Be Social On-the-Go

But Swarm also goes further than the original Foursquare app ever did with new, passive, always-on (unless you turn it off) location-tracking software called "Neighborhood sharing."

Neighborhood sharing, which can be toggled on and off with a swipe at the top of Swarm's home screen, allows friends to see when you go into the same neighborhood that they're in, and vice versa, if they have Neighborhood sharing on as well. It takes the "check-in" process out of the equation for serendipitous meet-ups -- instead, automating it with notifications that let you know when you're near each other.

It's an impressive new feature, in theory, and the ultimate logical conclusion of a location-based social network -- one that always knows both your location and that of friends you might want to hang out with and puts two and two together on its own.

Neighborhood sharing might also lead to even more detailed, stunning aggregate data-driven videos like this, which is based on check-ins. (Imagine this but based on constant location awareness.)

But, in a wise move, Foursquare made it a feature you can turn off at any point. This is good for those who are just creeped out by the idea that friends could drop in at any point, or if you aren't antisocial, but simply happen to be headed down the block to pick up a gallon of milk and don't particularly feel in the mood for digitally aided serendipity.

Also, since the neighborhood sharing feature engages your phone's GPS, you might want to turn it off through your less social stretches of the day (e.g. work) to conserve battery life.

Changes to Foursquare Social Games Built Into Swarm

With Swarm, Foursquare is replacing one feature with new system and modifying an old one to make it more fun and accessible.

For one, badges are gone in this app -- replaced instead, in a sense, with "stickers." Different badges were earned by checking into different venues in specific cities or during certain events. For example (and perhaps the most outrageous, exclusive example of a badge), astronaut Douglas H. Wheelock earned the NASA Explorer badge by checking in to Foursquare from the International Space Station.

Stickers are less of an achievement-based check-in graphic. Foursquare says stickers are for attaching to "your check-in to quickly express how you feel or what you're doing." Similar to badges, a whole slew of Stickers can be unlocked beyond the default stickers by going to interesting places, so it still conveys a sense of achievement for finding new places to check in with.

And don't worry, Badge collectors: The new Foursquare app will include "the spiritual successor to badges," the company said.

Speaking of achievements on the gamified side of Foursquare, the "Mayors" system is changing in Swarm as well. Mayorships -- basically being crowned "mayor" of a certain location that you check in at the most -- will still be a part of Swarm but with a more intimate scope. Foursquare pointed out that, when the social network was small, it was fun to compete for "mayor" of a particular place, but now that there are 50 million people. "Mayors 2.0" will only apply to circles of friends, instead of everyone.

Completely New Features for More Social Interaction

Beyond the gamified features of Foursquare that are getting a face lift, Swarm adds a few functional updates that make social discovery and interaction simple and easy.

For one, Swarm lets you look through your past by incorporating one of the most asked-for features from Foursquare: full history search. This can be useful to remember places you've been and events you liked -- though only for Foursquare veterans until newbies rack up enough check-ins to be worthy of a look back.

The other big addition is "Plans," the third tab on the Swarm app. Foursquare wants to get in on one of the growth sectors of social networking, which are apps that help friends plan everyday casual meet-ups outside of the somewhat clunky, formal Facebook events system (not to mention outside of, heaven forbid, those terribly annoying group texts!).

Swarm "Plans" allows users to just throw an idea out to any friends who live nearby (another interesting facet that neighborhood sharing enables). Friends will see it and can comment on your plan or send out their own. You can even "@" mention a specific event or place with plans, though finding the right term for a mention without Swarm's assistance is clunky and imprecise. It would be a better feature, for example, for helping friends pinpoint an obscure bar (or even for "@mentioned" businesses to tap into GroupOn type marketing and event planning), if typing "@" brought up a searchable list of officially connected places to mention. There's always room for improvement, Foursquare.

Tap That App

That said, Swarm introduces enough new features and improvements -- especially the in-the-background Neighborhood sharing -- to warrant an upgrade for Foursquare users.

And, with its simplicity, "plans" feature and de-emphasis on manual check-ins it might be something that helps Foursquare gain new users: You can always sign in with Facebook and become a Foursquarer yourself. Or maybe the term should now be "Swarmer."

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