Today Google is releasing Latitude, software that lets mobile phone users share their location with contacts.
“Google hopes it will help people find each other while out and about and to keep track of loved ones. For example, a girlfriend could use it to see if her boyfriend has arrived at a restaurant and, if not, how far away he is….To use the service, you need a Google account to record who has permission to see your location.”- From CNET.com
Users will be able to set levels of privacy, so close family can determine your exact location, while acquaintances can receive city-level information.
The app works on color-screen BlackBerry phones, Android-powered devices (such as the T-Mobile G1 phones), Windows Mobile 5.0 or later, Nokia smartphones and will be coming to iPhone and iPod touch devices soon. It can also be used through a widget loaded onto your iGoogle customized home page.
Google has already put out a YouTube video addressing concerns of privacy.
Opportunities abound with mash-ups with existing social networking sites & services.
