Google Latitude arrives on iPhone

Limited by Apple

Google Latitude arrives on iPhone

24 July 2009 9:47 GMT / By Duncan Geere

Google has announced the long-awaited news that its location-tracking service is now available for the iPhone. However, it's subject to a number of limitations compared to its app on other platforms.

Firstly, it's a web app, which runs in Safari. It has the same core functionality as other Latitude apps - you can see where you are, where your friends are, and control who gets to see your location. It also has basic search and directions functionality.

Google says: "We worked closely with Apple to bring Latitude to the iPhone in a way Apple thought would be best for iPhone users. After we developed a Latitude application for the iPhone, Apple requested we release Latitude as a web application in order to avoid confusion with Maps on the iPhone".

Unfortunately, however, Apple prevents applications from running in the background on the iPhone. That means that for Latitude to update, you have to manually open it and force it to update, rather than the continuous background updating that Android, Symbian, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile users get.

The Latitude mobile app is available now for users in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. If you don't live in a former part of the British Empire, then Google "hopes to bring it to more countries soon".

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Comments

  • Well thats an epic fail, the whole purpose of this app is to have up-tpdate location information. How can a manual push of your location be class as up to date? i fear this is the end of latitude services for myself and dare I say the majority of iPhone users. Posted by Paul Wilkinson, United Kingdom
  • If apple are really doing away with any kind of background processing wouldn't it be handy if your location is updated to a central system such as mobile me every so often and applications you trust can use this information. Maybe update once every 10 /15/30 mins if your running on your battery, but maybe once every couple minutes if you are plugged into a car charger. Maybe run this off the push notification system somehow so other developers can have access if needs be.

     Posted by Bobby, United Kingdom
  • Total own goal if you ask me, the whole purpose of an app like this is for it to update in the background, not be forced to do it manually. How many people are going to remember to do that?
    Come on Apple, buck up your ideas.     Posted by PS, UK
  • I agree - Latitude is not great, I tested it for two days, now I am back to www.pocketlife.com. Native app, very nice UI and good photo and message sharing features. I think google missed the boat here Posted by Justin26, Australia

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