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New Google Service Lets You Stalk, Er, Find Your Friends

Helio first offered its Buddy Beacon service back in 2007. Buddy Beacon allowed Helio subscribers to opt into a friend-locating feature so you could "see" your friends on a map directly from your handset. Google has added a similar feature, called Google Latitude, to the newest version of its Maps for Mobile product.

GPS and location-based services such as Google Latitude are only going to grow as GPS chips are added to more and more devices. The idea is a good one, and can be used for networking and finding friends when out in the world.

In order to use Google Latitude, users of the Android, BlackBerry, Symbian S60, and Windows Mobile platforms will need to download Google Maps for Mobile 3.0 (no support for the iPhone yet). Then, using your phone-based or Gmail contacts, you invite your friends to participate. Latitude is opt-in, so everyone has to agree to use the service. Google says that the service gives uses control over how much or little location information they share, and with whom. Once everyone is connected, you'll be able to see your friends' locations within Google Maps.

Google has added a few other cool features. It says, "Google Talk is integrated with Latitude, so you and your friends can update your status messages and profile photos on the go and see what everyone is up to. You can also call, SMS, IM, or e-mail each other within the app."

Not only does Latitude work with mobile phones, but Google will allow you to add your location information to your iGoogle home page. Chrome users who have Google Gears installed will be able to share their location information from their computer -- be it a desktop or laptop.

The service and Google Maps for Mobile 3.0 are free.

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