Google Latitude lets you track your friend's movements

Mobile maps update gets real time tracking


4 February 2009 13:00 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Google has announced that it has added the ability to track friends and family via Google Maps, for mobile users looking to get connected, from Wednesday.

Latitude, as it will be known, is a new feature of Google Maps for mobile that allows you to share your location with friends and to see their approximate locations - if they choose to share them with you - when they or you are out and about.

Available for both desktop and most mobile phones the new software, according to Google, will let "you use your Google account to sign in and easily invite friends to Latitude from your existing list of contacts or by entering their email addresses".

Users will be able to get the new software application for their phone with Android, BlackBerry, Symbian S60, and Windows Mobile already supported. iPhone users it seems will have to wait a little longer however.

Keen to get as many people on board as quickly as possible, Google has also released an iGoogle gadget and integrated Google Talk, the company's IM service. Users will be able to update status messages and profile photos on the go and see what everyone is up to.

Some commentators however are worried that the technology, if used by the wrong kind of people, could allow terrorist groups to co-ordinate their actions more effectively.

We doubt, however, that adulterous partners keen to lie about there whereabouts will be downloading it any time soon.
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Phones, Apps, Google

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