Are you broadcasting your location?

Yahoo!’s fire eagle, Brightkite and of course Google’s Latitude.

There is no question, that the location awareness space is getting hotter and hotter. Last Monday, we were on our regular Tech slot on BBC Radion Lincolnshire and had a good chat about what is happening right now, and crucially, what will be happening soon. Click below to listen now

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When Google bring out an iPhone application for Latitude, it will undoubtedly take off in a big way. At the moment it is limited to using it via the web on your computer or on some phones:

Google Latitude is a feature of Google Maps for mobile on these phones:

Android-powered devices, such as the T-Mobile G1

iPhone and iPod touch devices (coming soon)

most color BlackBerry devices

most Windows Mobile 5.0+ devices

most Symbian S60 devices (Nokia smartphones)

Personally, we use Brightkite every now and then and used to tinker with fire eagle, but not at the moment. Is anyone using these services regularly and what for? Having spoken with @nofont, he had some great ideas about situation awareness which we talk about on the radio clip – your phone knowing whether you are at home, or out and about, in front of the computer, or in the car. This could start to be VERY useful.

What also really intrigues us is the marketing aspect of this technology. The next level of permission marketing will be location orientated – so services, brands and companies can alert you to things that might interest you. Yes, big brother really is here. We just need to make sure he has permission to be.

So, location awareness, a big thumbs up, or a groaning thumbs down? Also, what about geolocation for digital photos? The GPS chips are getting smaller and smaller, and less expensive, so this looks to be coming to more cameras every month. Do you have one of these?

brightkite, fire eagle, google latitude, hull digital, location awareness

About admin

Jon founded Hull Digital, Kingston Upon Hull's Digital and Technology community in January 2009, and also runs East Yorkshire's digital conference, HDLive. He runs theappleofmyi helping brands, businesses and people be more successful online and has clients locally, as well as across the UK and internationally. He speaks regularly as a marketing / technology and online commentator at events and on the radio. He is a keen cyclist, skier, dedicated Apple fan and is apparently addicted to "nice gear". View all posts by admin →

http://imranali.name Imran Ali

‘I’m still convinced that hereish-and-soonish/thereish-and-thenish are the grain we need to be exploring rather than just connecting a network of the pulsing ‘blue-dot’.’

http://is.gd/jU6w
admin

Thanks Imran – that is a pretty deep post from Mr. Jones. I cannot begin to imagine what LBS will be like in the next 12 months let alone couple of years.

I look forward to developments!
http://www.theusualsuspect.com John Polling

I’m guessing there are times where we still need to be careful of this stuff. I’m normally all for new technology but you have to be careful.
http://www.wired.com/gadgets/wireless/magazine/17-02/lp_guineapig?currentPage=all
admin

John, thanks for finding that article – brilliant! (and thought provoking….).

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