Filed under: Software, Freeware, iPhone, iPod touch
Google will have your latitude and longitude
Google has launched new location-based social software which is available to many smartphone users today. Latitude will share your location with others and allow you to to view your friends' locations as well.You can then contact them using text messaging, instant message or a phone call. The service is opt-in, so you won't be found if you don't want to be.
Initially, the system was available to Windows Mobile phones, most color Blackberry phones, Symbian S60 phones and Android phones with Google Maps 3.0 and above. Current G1 phones don't have version 3.0 yet, but it is coming in a system wide update.
How about the iPhone? Google says it is coming soon for both the iPhone and the iPod touch. There is no cost for the application, but people without unlimited data plans will see data charges. Use of the application will require a Google account. The service is available in 27 countries.
Google says it is sensitive about privacy, and Latitude users can, for example, let family members see exactly where they are, or let friends only know what city they are in. Alternatively, your location can be completely hidden from everyone (you sly dog).
Google is also offering a desktop version which allows you to input your location or determine it with wi-fi, and, of course, you can track your friends who are out and about.
The iPhone already has Loopt [App Store link] which has similar features, but Google is such a heavyweight in the web space that many people may sign up. Apple will have to update the Google Maps application on the iPhone to make it all work.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nathan said 7:36PM on 2-04-2009
Sounds like a interesting idea, but I don't think Google are the right guys to be doing it.
This is something i'd like to see FaceBook get into, either by tracking your location and showing it on Google Map on your profile, or just posting your current location when you update your status. It would also be easy to limit who could access your location using the 'lists' feature already on FaceBook.
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alfriede said 7:53PM on 2-04-2009
google, facebook, or whomever, this is all becoming more and more creepy than cool by the day - but ESPECIALLY with google involved. with google being the main part of the NSA's project echelon, i think i'll pass on all of it - thanks but no thanks BIG BROTHER! http://www.google-watch.org/
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Joe RIckerby said 8:04PM on 2-04-2009
Anyone who's into any social network knows that, despite all the privacy settings in the world, you post what you're happy for people to see. You get to choose which parts of your life are private.
This app just doesn't give you that option. If it's on and your 'friends' can see where you are that's a bit creepy, and if it's off then people are wondering what you're doing that requires privacy.
Anyway, I can't see it catching on. It's just... too creepy.
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devyn said 10:42PM on 2-04-2009
But here's the part I find pretty interesting (from the Google blog http://tinyurl.com/dk5kgq)
"You not only control exactly who gets to see your location, but you also decide the location that they see. For instance, let's say you are in Rome. Instead of having your approximate location detected and shared automatically, you can manually set your location for elsewhere — perhaps a visit to Niagara Falls ."
So you've got location awareness, yet you can totally scam it. I sense a Law & Order plot line here...
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Mike said 12:20AM on 2-05-2009
And we welcome Big Brother with open arms and a pat on the back. Cool just for the fact they can do it; creepy just for the fact that they will.
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Jeff said 4:54AM on 2-05-2009
I'm gonna guess Ted Haggard and Sen. Larry Craig will not be signing up for this service.
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alfriede said 11:13AM on 2-05-2009
....nor george michael, nor....pee wee herman... hahaha
mrtotes said 7:54AM on 2-05-2009
Sounds great. Of course you can choose who will see this info (and lets face it your mobile phone company have known your whereabouts for years) so I'm looking forward to my wife being able to check my location without having to disturb me with a call or text.
I wonder if Google are waiting for 2.3 or 3.0 to allow location services to run in the background on iPhone/iPod touch which I don't think is possible at the moment (?) - if it needs to run in the fore ground it's not nearly so useful.
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m said 8:37AM on 2-05-2009
i would be more immediately concerned about my employer than the government. it's just one more tool for the tools in HR. i've worked places where they would demand to track you, if they only had the means. and if the company pays for the phone, you can't really say no. if they don't, you're still in a tough position.
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ianlive said 12:22PM on 2-05-2009
Add me to the list of those finding this scary as hell. Very cool idea, but way to easy to cause more harm than good.
Here's a thought. Phone someone on their cell and ask "Hey, where are you?"
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Parsec said 1:11PM on 2-05-2009
I don't understand all the concerns people have about applications like this. First, it can't run in the background, so you only update your location when you want to. Second, don't you realize that if the government wanted to track your movements they wouldn't need an application like this anyway? They can already do it regardless of what cell phone you have.
So here's what those two things mean. If you're worried your girlfriend/wife will find you while you're at the strip club, then don't be stupid enough to run this app (or others like Brightkite or Loopt). And if she distrusts you so much that she has to keep tabs on you 24/7, then either you've done something to make her suspicious or you need a new gf/wife. If you're worried about the government tracking you, then you need to not be carrying a cell phone at all, or only use burner phones.
I've been using Brightkite for awhile now, and really all most people use it for is stuff like "Hey, I went to this restaurant and it was great," or "Come join us for some beers." Where's the harm in that?
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JS said 5:07PM on 2-06-2009
Like Parsec says, it's only able to update when you run the app. I installed Loopt because I wanted to find out which of my friends were at what pubs on the weekends. Seemed really useful for social gathering.
I got about 6 friends to sign up, then never had a freaking clue where anyone was because if you're in a pub, you're not bored and running the Loopt app. You're probably having fun with your phone in your pocket.
Bottomline: I uninstalled Loopt because it was worthless. Google's will be also, unless they can run it when it's in the background every 30 minutes or so.
-JS
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