The iPhone has finally caught up with its
BlackBerry, Windows Mobile 5.0, and S60 competition, at least as far as Google Latitude is concerned. The stalker-centric program is now available for Apple's smartphone, but instead of coming as an App Store-approved download, it's actually just a web-hosted app that grabs your location through Safari -- a new trick care of
iPhone OS 3.0. As to why, the Official Google Blog explains Apple had some concern that people would confuse it for the native Maps app. We still don't get why it couldn't simply be added to Maps itself, but we're not the multibillion dollar company, here. Go ahead, let your privacy cares away and direct your iPhone to the link below to see what all the fuss is about. Now it's time to wait (im)patiently for
Google Voice.
Read - Google Latitude
Read - Official Google Mobile Blog
posted Jul 23rd 2009 9:32PM
Yay?
Meh... even if it were integrated into Google Maps I don't know if I'd use it. Latitude seems pretty stalkeriffic.
Wait, Safari is just handing out your exact location to any website that asks? Is that safe?
It prompts you before doing so, just like it does with other applications on the phone. It's quite specific about what's going on and you can deny at any time.
Stop the FUD.
If it works anything like Android's browser (and I assume it does), it pops up a dialog to ask if you're willing to share your location with a certain web site the first time you visit it, then if you say ok then it will automatically send your location every time you visit after that.
Maybe Apple will make a commercial about how they now have something that's been available on another phone for a long time.
LOL
Like the copy / paste commercial, or the record video commercial? :) Watching that commercial makes it seem like this has never before been possible in the history of phones ever...
I still love my iPhone though!
What happens when jealous girlfriends get a hold of this app??
You don't share your location with her. YOU have to specify who gets the info, it doesn't just broadcast it to the world.
And you wouldnt share it with your girlfriend?
Why are you denying my invitation?
Are you going places and not telling me?
Where were you?
Who are you going out with?
You dont love me anymore, is that it?
@vapore0n
I didn't say there wouldn't be repercussions.....
And really - if you're having to answer that barrage of questions - you were in trouble long before Latitude came on the scene.
Oh come on, you guys are definitely a multibillion dollar company...
(Alright, counting all of Time Warner as Engadget may be stretching it a bit...)
Book-marked!
"We still don't get why it couldn't simply be added to Maps itself"
OSX vs. Javascript AND same look-n-feel as the desktop version of Latitude?
I'm sure google programmers are sick of wasting time developing on OSX when most of their features run on Javascript/Python and a standardds-compliance browser.
That and maybe big companies figured out that selling apps (or for free) on the app store using Apple's approval process, Apple's eco-system for distribution, any cost=30% comission for Apple, and Apple promotes the AppStore vs. webapps... I'm not surprise Goggle went the Safari route--and this is a likely trend for future Google apps.
But I thought web apps are the future? Isn't Google a big proponent of this movement? They have Android, Chrome, and the upcoming Chrome OS. Why would Google push this one off on Apple when Google themselves want this?
"Apple had some concern that people would confuse it for the native Maps app."
Translation: "Apple sells a monthly service (MobileMe) to locate your cell phone. Apple doesn't want an app that cuts into their subscription base."
Ding ding ding ding ding!
We have a winner!
why would latitude be a standalone app?
on S60 it's a part of maps and that's the only logical way
That's two completely different uses though. No one but you can use the mobile me app, unless you're giving your me password to everybody....
thats ridiculous, i'm not logging into a website all the time to update where i am... whats teh point.
Maps have NOTHING to do with Mobile Me, so take your bashing to a Nokia article or something more your speed. Or go flap to a MSFT article.
Maps is a default app for, wait for it, maps! So, here's a google, wait for it, map app! Wow, I can see where Apple thought there would be confusion. The Map app has ZERO to do with Mobile Me. Thanks for playing, move along.
@Rick
I've been an Apple user for many years now. I do have to point out that there's nothing remotely similar between Maps and Latitude. Latitude has basically the same functionality as Loopt, which was approved before the App Store even launched. Surprise, it has a map, too. Confusing.
Although I also doubt this decision was related to MobileMe specifically, there is no reason to be so hostile with your zealousness. You not only discourage new customers from the brand, but failing to professionally question decisions like this will only limit the usefulness of the platform I, and supposedly you, love. By some counts, it already has.
Lame... Apple, lame. It'd been nice to see this in both Google Earth and Google Maps Apps.
Wow, Engadget did not get their Google Voice invitation yet?
I got mines on Monday. It's great!
Pretty sure they mean the app and not the invite.
I got mine too. Too bad it's worthless outside of the United States.
What's worse than a Rickroll? Asshole spammers like yourself....
it should be built into google maps. it being a web app means it can't run in the background and the user you hope to track has to be using it at the same time you're using it.
If we're still talking about the iPhone Google Maps app you wouldn't be able to background it anyway.
But yeah, it should have been an add on to maps like every other platform.
privacy will be something we have to explain to our grandkids
I'm going to Antarctica to update my location on google latitude, and then never again.
You don't have to. The latitude app will let you manually set it.
http://www.google.com/mobile/images/screens/android/latitude02.gif
i wish this were a standalone native app or built into the apple's maps app
TMI, Google.
steve wolsheimer is a cock.
I would love a top 10 list of lame excuses Apple has given out as to why they can't enable feature x. Last time I checked, when someone like google wants to develop for your platform, you let them. If you have a real reason, then tell us and we will accept it, though be upset. Don't just try to blame your userbase ( "We can't enable multi-tasking because users wouldn't know how to manage it and would deplkete their battery too fast, causing a reduction in satisfaction." "Users wouldn't know the difference between this and the Maps app" "It's too hot because you left it in your car, dumbass, because we never make faulty products")
I envision Apple's organization hierarchy charts containing an Excuses branch within their PR department.
I seriously haven't heard of any other company put this much spin on their products bad rep since Fox News came along.
I'd love to read the top 10 reasons why pc fanboys come to, read, and negatively comment on Apple articles. That would shed some light onto the subject that has been somewhat foggy up to this point.
Latitude is pretty cool. You can set the level of detail as far as location that you want to share and who you want to share it with.
With lack of multi-tasking on the iPhone I don't get how this will work since it needs to run in the background in order to be useful.
I've been waiting for this - now i can track the girlfriend and safari CAN run in the background
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlinSWk2mow
No multi-tasking makes this rather useless....well ok, in all fairness, very very limiting more so than useless.
hidden latitude features!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk2fw14NLPI
LOL!!!
Now that's freaking funny!!
If you want a native location sharing app, try Hey Where Are You? (heyWAY). It's free, got push notifications and works a charm. And no I don't work for them.
Latitude is great when you're on a road-trip to meet friends and family. while they tracked my progress, i took and shared pics/video via email and MMS, further interacted on facebook app, IM'd, and read my RSS feeds to pass the time. you can do that on a winmo platform, btw. opening and closing each program ala-iPhone would've drove me nuts [sorry for the pun].
on the iphone this only works when both people have safari OPEN on the latitude page.
FAIL
Why is Apple so gay?? And all my friends ask my why I'll never buy an iPhone. This is just another example...
We are researchers studying people’s attitudes towards Google Latitude. If you have heard of Google Latitude (whether you have used it or not) and are at least 18 years old, we would like to talk with you. Please email us back at ucistudy@ics.uci.edu.
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