Localmind and Foursquare are two app peas in a pod. The premise of this free, cleanly-designed app is simple enough: ask a question about your local bar, eatery, or general hang-out spot, and someone who is already there will answer. I had my doubts about quick response times or friendly advice, but happily, Localmind proved me wrong and works exactly as advertised.

See a Chinese restaurant during your stroll through the park, but not sure what to get? Localmind's community did me the courtesy of recommending the beef pancake and lamb with green onion. Wondering if it's the wrong night to try and see a movie? On-site users will let you know if the lines are way too long.

Using Foursquare check-ins as a measure of how often you frequent certain hotspots, Localmind will appoint you as an Expert who'll be pinged if someone has a question about your area. Answer in kind, and you'll receive Karma – points that don't reward you in any intrinsic way, but feel free to interpret them as your helpfulness to fellow iPhone users in need.

Though it usually works like a charm, Localmind isn't an infallible crystal ball. Some of the questions you ask (especially those about obscure locales or unpopular areas) will go without an answer or a "Sorry, I don't know." But the responses are never antagonistic, and you can discreetly message the responder if you need some clarification, or if you just want to thank them for the tip. Depending on how many active Experts are around your area, the mileage you get out of Localmind may vary. It certainly helps to live in or near a major city!

The bottom line. Localmind fits well alongside Foursquare and successfully turns altruism into a social mini-game. That's something anyone can get behind.