News Report #2

Google Latitude Keeps Tabs on Friends’ Locations

Google launched software on Wednesday that will allow mobile phone users to share their location with contacts. "What Google Latitude does is allow you to share that location with friends and family members, and likewise be able to see friends and family members' locations," said Steve Lee, product manager for Google Latitude. In an attempt to protect the privacy on somewhat controversial new software, Google is requiring you to “opt-in” to the service. You can also change how much others can see about where you are. The service will take advantage of the Google Maps system that is already in place, to help the users get a precise location of their friends and family, directions on how to reach them, or even an estimated time for them to reach where you are or vice-versa. Obviously the service will only work on phones that have color screens and advanced interfaces such as the new Blackberries, Iphones, or other similar devices. Latitude uses Google's technology to judge a user's location not just by GPS satellite, but also by proximity to mobile phone towers and wireless networks.
I believe that this software is a relatively unique and ambitious idea. It will take quite some time for the general public to accept the “privacy” issues, but there are limitless possibilities for the uses of this type of “social networking”. For example, imagine advertising catered to directly where you are. You get close to a pizza place, and a coupon pops up on your phone to eat there for half off. Imagine being able to just click on your friends name and get directions to their house, without having to use GPS devices, or write down long lists of directions. I think that this is a very cool idea, and I hope a lot of people will jump on board.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10155946-94.html
CNet: Posted by Stephen Shankland, 2/4/2009