Facebook Deals launched Nov. 3 in the US. Now the location-based is launching in the UK, with charter brands offering specials including Alton Towers Resort, Argos, Benetton, Debenhams, Mazda, Starbucks, and YO! Sushi, plus other parts of Europe — Germany, Italy, France, Spain — plus Canada.

Starbucks in the UK, according to InformationWeek, "is offering a free cup of coffee to anyone (the first 30,000, says the Guardian) who checks in to Places Deals Monday (while) Benetton will donate £2 or €2 to Architecture for Humanity for every person who checks in. Mazda is giving users the chance to earn a 20% discount — or more than £4,600 — off its MX-5 sports car."

Additionally, the first 1,000 Facebookers to check in at Debenhams will receive a free mascara and makeover, and the first four customers to upgrade their contracts and check in at O2 stores will win a free Xbox or Playstation.Continue reading...

It's a classic David and Goliath tale, as Foursquare (aka the little east coast social start-up that could) continues to compete against Facebook, the west coast social giant that just raised millions from Goldman Sachs.

Foursquare got a jump on Facebook by launching its social check-in service in March 2009, well ahead of Facebook's foray into the check-ins business last August with Facebook Places.

But it needs to maintain its momentum, such as the recent survey of the busiest US airports that showed Foursquare check-ins comfortably in the lead. Cue its latest push.Continue reading...