Even though the new Android G1 update from T-Mobile, RC33, is Cupcake-less, it has still created quite the stir on the Intertubes. As early as today, Google Latitude will be available in the update, which is rolling out to T-Mobile G1 users from now through Feb. 15. Google Latitude is friend-location software that utilizes a combination of cell tower triangulation and GPS to let you know where your friends and family are. CNET-TV Senior Editor Natali Del Conte got a preview of Latitude and says:
“What Google Latitude does is allow you to share that location with friends and family members, and likewise be able to see friends and family members’ locations,” Steve Lee, product manager for Google Latitude, told CNET. “For example, a girlfriend could use it to see if her boyfriend has arrived at a restaurant and, if not, how far away he is.”
I suppose a girlfriend could also see where her boyfriend SHOULDN’T be, which underscores some potential privacy issues. Fortunately, Google Latitude allows for some customization – you can select certain contacts that you want to “hide” from so your location data is not available to them, or you can deactivate the feature altogether. Hopefully it will be accurate enough to really pin people down because this service would be extremely useful for finding friends amongst a sea of people at a large convention, for instance.
When update RC33 shows up on your G1 and Google Latitude is enabled, how will you use it? Are you worried about privacy issues?
[gizmodo and cbsnews]