INQ, which launched the so called "Facebook Phone", with the social graph built right into the OS, has decided to use Foursquare as the default service on INQ for integrating location into the OS. Considering that Facebook is already baked right into the phone, its a big deal that INQ would opt to look elsewhere for its location platform.

And while Crowley rightly announced this as an important partnership at TechCrunch Disrupt today, this wasn't some business development deal negotiated between the two companies. "Coolest thing of all: INQ was able to do this using our open API, joining thethousands of other developers who have made foursquare location a core part of their products. Because it’s built directly into the Android system, you can check in and explore without even firing up the application," notes the foursquare blog.

The other news is still in rumor stage, but Liz Gannes from All Things D is reporting that a partnership is in the works between Groupon and Foursquare. This would push Groupon Now offers to Foursquare users based on their location. It would probably look a lot like the Loopt deal Groupon signed last week.