Google has launched a mobile social mapping service that allows people to share their location with friends.
Google Latitude users are able to find friends on Google Maps mobile applications and through an iGoogle gadget.
Users can send friends text messages and photos directly and update their own status.
Google said users have a variety of privacy settings to ensure they have full control of who has access to their location and details.
On the official Google blog, Vic Gundotra, VP engineering on the Google mobile team, said, "Everything about Latitude is opt-in. You not only control exactly who gets to see your location, but you also decide the location that they see.
"For instance, let's say you are in Rome. Instead of having your approximate location detected and shared automatically, you can manually set your location for elsewhere - perhaps a visit to Niagara Falls," added Gundotra.
It's the first major social layer Google has applied to its mobile mapping service and is currently available in 27 countries.
Google said versions for the iPhone and Android are to launch soon.
Google launches Social Mapping
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3 Responses to "Google launches Social Mapping" (Leave A Comment)
February 4, 2009 at 3:41 PM
I am wondering how the uptake will go on this. Brightkite has been kinda stalled for a while - but they don't have Google's clout.
February 4, 2009 at 4:40 PM
I think will market the hell out of it to be honest....
February 4, 2009 at 6:59 PM
I think as long as the service is accessible from mobile and everywhere else it could survive.
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