Google introduces Google Latitude
So, “WHAT IS IT!!”, you ask. Well, the idea behind Google Latitude is to be a social program to find friends that are close to you, or where they are at in the world. Google simplifies my explanation with three bullet points.
With Google Latitude, you can:
- See where your friends are and what they are up to
- Quickly contact them with SMS, IM, or a phone call
- Control your location and who gets to see it
- Enjoy Google Latitude on your phone, PC, or both.
Phone view of the Google Latitude
From your mobile phone – View your friends’ locations and status messages and share yours with them. (Supported phones)
From your computer – View your friends’ locations and status messages on a full screen even without a compatible phone or data plan. Click here to see your friends from your PC.
Now from a father’s perspective with a daughter, I am thinking this could be an inexpensive tool to be able to know where my daughter is. OK, I want to respect my daughter’s privacy and I will. However, I also want to make sure she is safe and know where she is at if I get the call about the broken down car and not knowing where she is.
You can use your mobile phone, which appears to work best with the BlackBerry right now, but you can also use your computer.
The program allows you to send requests to users in your Google contact list or anyone can also go to google.latitude.com and send a request to their phone to receive a link via text message. Once you receive the text message, click on the link and your phone will take you to the page to install the software assuming you have a compatible phone.
The program is not as secretive as I would want it to be. (insert devilish smile here) Google Latitude allows the person installing the software to his or her phone to be seen or not to be seen.
To learn more about Google Latitude and see a video, click here: Google Latitude
To take a look at Google Latitude in action, look at this video: The Stunt Video
Rod
