Google Offers Mobile Friend Finder With Latitude Service (But Not For The iPhone)

Google pushed out a new product today called Google Latitude. It basically lets you find friends in geographical locations via Google Maps. This is pretty cool. Loopt has been doing this for a while, and so have others. I’m not really sure I see the value in this, other than its a great way to stalk your friends. If I really wanted to know where someone was, I would just ask them.

The interesting part is it wasn’t released for the iPhone. It does work on the Android of course, Blackberry and Windows Mobile. But with GPS and mapping so tightly integrated into the iPhone, I’m really surprised this was left out of the initial release. I hardly ever used mapping on my Windows Mobile device.

Is Google targeting a service like BrightKite.com, where I can check in at a specific location, or upload photos and give it a geo tag? I can see better uses for this service than just seeing who around me. I would also like to be able to update my social network too, like FriendFeed or Twitter, with a link to my latest location.

I’m not sure if this was intentional or chance, but the map on the Latitude home page was in my general area. Weird, huh? Stalking at its best.

[image title="Google Latitude" size="full" id="1051" align="none" linkto="full" ]

http://www.chrisknudsen.biz Chris

I'm not at all surprised that Google didn't build this with the iPhone in mind. Google and Apple are very competitive in the mobile space.
http://shortthesystem.com Sid W

My first reaction was “wow, that is a bit creepy” and my second reaction was “thank god its out for the blackberry because i want it.”
http://www.chrisknudsen.biz Chris

I'm not at all surprised that Google didn't build this with the iPhone in mind. Google and Apple are very competitive in the mobile space.
http://shortthesystem.com Sid W

My first reaction was “wow, that is a bit creepy” and my second reaction was “thank god its out for the blackberry because i want it.”
http://www.avanta.co.uk/UK/meeting-rooms meeting rooms

It would be kind of cool for figuring out where your friends are at. How cool would it be to be taking a taxi in London, check your phone and see your friends are in a bar just up the street, stop in and join them. sweet.

I think you can cloak your location if you do not want others to see your location, i.e.. if you are studying for an exam or on a date with someone else! Bad!
http://www.avanta.co.uk/UK/meeting-rooms meeting rooms

It would be kind of cool for figuring out where your friends are at. How cool would it be to be taking a taxi in London, check your phone and see your friends are in a bar just up the street, stop in and join them. sweet.

I think you can cloak your location if you do not want others to see your location, i.e.. if you are studying for an exam or on a date with someone else! Bad!
http://gpsreviewblog.net GPSReviews

This is a little creepy, with some serious privacy issues. Im sure you can turn your super google locator
http://gpsreviewblog.net GPSReviews

This is a little creepy, with some serious privacy issues. Im sure you can turn your super google locator
Jason Mark

It's actually not working on Android yet but is “coming soon” when I try to get it.
Jason Mark

It's actually not working on Android yet but is “coming soon” when I try to get it.
Jason Mark

It's actually not working on Android yet but is “coming soon” when I try to get it.
http://www.searchofficespace.com/uk/office-space/mayfair-serviced-offices.html Mayfair Office Space

Finally latitude is working in iPhone, yay!
http://www.advanceddatarecovery.co.uk data recovery

Wow, it's great news that we can friend with mobile apps
http://www.searchofficespace.com/uk/office-space/mayfair-serviced-offices.html Serviced Offices Mayfair

Thanks. I congratulate you for this blog.
I've really enjoyed. I sincerely thank you again.
http://www.searchofficespace.com/uk/office-space/mayfair-serviced-offices.html Serviced Offices Mayfair

Thanks. I congratulate you for this blog.
I've really enjoyed. I sincerely thank you again.

Thom Allen Weblog

Technology, software craftsmanship, opensource, linux, writing, mobile/cloud computing, photography, WordPress junkie, #CIO #CTO, United States Marine, NASCAR

Google Offers Mobile Friend Finder With Latitude Service (But Not For The iPhone)