Google has Latitude

This is one of those ideas that we have all had, and just wondered when someone was going to build the application. Latitude from Google is one of those applications that might scare some. It is a unique application because it provides Twitter-esque real-time GPS tracking of friends and family. All from the comfort of your computer or cell phone.

Google has done well with the resources available to them. I hope that the founders remain friendly, and stay away from the dark side. What’s next? If the founder of PayPal can build an electric car, maybe the Google founders will build the flying car we all thought would be available today.

This is a great application in moderation, and I look forward to using this service. Don’t leave your cell phone lying around – or password protect the device. Here are some privacy setting tips if you decide to use the service. If my kids had cell phones, I would request they use this service. This would be a great service for groups of vacationers in strange cities or towns.

Google certainly seized the day when the cell phone manufacturers started building GPS into the devices. There is no cost for this service, just like most Google products and services. My favorite is Goog-411.

Google's announcement