Google recently upgraded its mobile maps software with a feature called Latitude that allows users with mobile devices to automatically share their location with others.

The feature expands on a tool released in 2007 that allows mobile phone users to check their own location on a Google map. The new feature raises several security concerns, but Google is trying to address this issue by requiring each user to manually turn on the tracking software and making it easy to turn off or limit access to the service.

Google says it will not retain any information on its users’ movements, and that only the last location recorded by the tracking service will be stored on Google’s computers. The software uses cell phone towers, global positioning systems, or a Wi-Fi connection to find users’ locations in the United States and 26 other countries.

Each user can decide who can monitor their location. Latitude will initially work on Blackberrys and devices running on Symbian software or Microsoft’s Windows Mobile. Eventually the software will be able to operate on some T-1 Mobile phones running Google’s Android software and Apple’s iPhone and iTouch devices.

Google also is offering a PC version of the feature. The PC program will allow people who do not have a mobile phone to find the locations of contacts or keep track of their children.

Source: RDMag.com

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