Just a couple of days ago, Google launched Google Latitude, a new feature for Google Maps on your mobile device that allows you to know where your friends are and also let your friends know where you are at all times. Google Latitude uses the cellphone signal of your mobile device (or GPS if your phone has it) to pinpoint where you are and it then shows that location on a map to whoever you choose to show that information to.
A lot of people have called it a new form of stalking, but I strongly disagree. I think it’s just another step in the direction toward a more connected sphere of friends (something I think will inevitably happen whether people like it or not) and if you’re friends with these people, having them know where you are (and vice versa) can’t be anything other than good! As more and more of my friends get connected through this service, I can only think of the great potential for location-based services to thrive.
I’m eagerly awaiting further development of Google Latitude. Maybe somebody will think of a clever way to make a city-wide game out of this or to offer more ways to connect to friends once you know where they are (immediately call them, PING them, set up warning messages, etc.).
Anyway, if you want to check out where I am, go to iGoogle.com and add the Google Latitude gadget to the page and then find me in your contacts. If you see me on the map, you’ll know that I allowed you that privilege of information. :)
