A few weeks ago, we asked readers whether they are using their mobile phones to “check-in” to locations with services like Foursquare and Gowalla. About 30 percent said they do so regularly — at least a few times a week.

Not a surprise that GeekWire readers are early adopters of mobile technologies. But a new study out from the Pew Internet & American Life Project finds that just four percent of American adults have ever used one of the mobile check-in services.

“Americans are not currently all that eager to share explicitly their location on social media sites, but they are taking advantage of their phones’ geolocation capabilities in other ways,” said Kathryn Zickuhr, Pew Internet Project research specialist and co-author of the report.

And what are they using their phones for?

Twenty eight percent of respondents are using location-based features on mobile phones to get driving directions or recommendations — a good sign for a number of Seattle area startups (Inrix in traffic) and (Urbanspoon, Chewsy in restaurants).

Meanwhile, here’s a look at our poll on mobile check-ins from last month:

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