Google Maps gets real time location sharing

Fans of the old Google Latitute rejoice; Google Maps is about to have real time location sharing just like we wished for so long.

How to Export Google Latitude Contacts

Google is killing Latitude and forcing users to migrate to Google+ where they'll have a much less appealing experience (and without many of the features Latitude users loved: like the possibility to selectively say which users would see our precise location, and which would see just an approximate city-level location). Worst of all, Google say theres is "no way to export your Latitude friends list" nor any way to easily migrate them to Google+. Luckily... Google isn't being entirely honest with use: there is a way to export you Google Latitude friends list, and import it to Google+.

That is possible because, just like it happened with the defunct Google Buzz, your Latitude friends list is kept in a hidden Gmail contact group. And you can get there... if you know how:

1. You need to go to your hidden Gmail Latitude group: https://www.google.com/contacts/#contacts/group/11/Latitude
2. Select "all"
3. Chose "More", then Export, and export all those contacts into a CSV file

Then, you can import that file into Google+ by visiting https://plus.google.com/people/find, choosing "connect services" on the left column, and then select "open address book" and opening the export file you've downloaded earlier. Then you can easily add your Latitude friends into a new G+ circle, named "Latitude" for instance.

The last step is going into Google+ settings and enable location sharing and select the "Latitude" circle, so they can still see where you are (though you can't specify the precision level for each friend like you could in Latitude).

[via Google System]

Google Kills Latitude - Pushes Users To Google+ (Once again)

Let me start with the good news: there's a new Google Maps app for Android (soon to come to iOS), that brings the new design look (inspired by the one first used in the iOS app, and later transposed to the web), and that has lots of new features and is the "most amazing thing ever" (you know... the usual stuff). Although it also comes with some less than logical options: like the offline maps, which are now stored by entering "OK Maps" into the search box when you're looking at the area you're interested in (sure would like to know who came up with that "amazing" idea...)


But the thing that caught my attention is something far worse, that brings back recent bad memories we're still struggling to forget. Google is once again showing no mercy for its long time users, and this time it's Google Latitude that gets canned. In case you don't know the service, Google Latitude allowed you to share you location with friends in real time, so you could always see where they where (as well as keep a location history that allowed you to see where you were at any give date). It began as a separate "app", but had since evolved into being integrated in Google Maps (as it should)... until now.

From now on, Google says that if you want to share your location with friends, you'll have to use Google+ to do so... which is kind of absurd, considering you want to see them on a map; and that's exactly what Google Maps is there for! Worse of all, there's no way for you to export you Latitude friends, or easily migrate them to a Google+ circle (update: luckily there is a way to export your Latitude friends into Google+, although Google says otherwise!). Seems like Google is once again offering millions of users to their competitors...

With Google Reader's demise, millions flocked to alternative services like Feedly and Newsblur; now with Google Latitude going the same way, I wonder how many will simply opt to use Foursquare and Facebook for check-ins... for the sole reason of not using Google+ whenever Google says so.

I'm seriously being scared by the path Google is taking... and I wouldn't be surprised if somewhere along the way they decided to integrate Gmail into Google+. Thankfully, with each of these steps they're making, they're forcing people to look for alternatives and depend less and less on any single service/provider. And at least, that's a good thing.

Location History on Android Maps

At last, your Google Latitude location history will be a lot more useful. Until now, your location history could only be seen on the web browser - and I still remember the time you could't even see it.

Now, your Latitude historic data will become instantly available in your Android Google Maps App, allowing you to see how much you've moved around, and how much time you've spent at work, home and... "out".

I still can't understand why Google doesn't integrate all these geolocation services (Latitude, Maps, Places, HotPot, etc) in a single App - it would make much more sense.

And talking about those other apps, you can now have custom aspects to rate places, and you can also check-in at "Home" - to show friends when you've returned safely, ou just to share when you're around so they can come visit.

iPhone Latitude App with Check-Ins

Here's the moment I so much waited for: Google Latitude App for iPhone has Check-In's at last.

Though I can understand why people appreciate Foursquare and GoWalla, I could never quite convince myself to use a separate dedicated App for that purpose alone - particularly when I was already using Google Latitude and giving my friends access to my real-time updated location.

Now, Latitude on the iPhone has finally learned to manage check-ins, and now I might actually start using it.
At least, it's intelligent enough to automatically check you out when you move away from the place.

Beside the Latitude App, Google Places was also updated, being available in more languages, and allowing you to see your favorite and saved places.

Google Latitude now Easier to Use

It was a shame Google Latitude was so poorly implemented on the web. Thought it's logically oriented for mobile devices, your desktop web browser still is one of the best places to manage all our services. Thankfully, Google Latitude now has its own site where you can do pretty much anything you want regarding Google Latitude: http://google.com/latitude

Besides making it easier to manage your privacy settings and friends, you also get a brand new dashboard allowing to see how much time you spend at home, at work, and "outside" - as well as the most recently/frequent/furthest places you've visited.

Google Latitude gets History and Alerts

Remember Google Latitude? This service that allows you to share your location with your friends is now getting even more interesting with Location History and Alerts.

Location History does just what you'd expect, it keeps track of where you are.

Why would you be interested in keeping a log of where you're going? That's where the Location Alerts kick in:

These alerts allow you to be notified whenever a friend is nearby. But wait, there's more. By knowing your location habits (your home and work location, etc.) Latitude is intelligent enough to only trigger those alerts when they're meaningful. After all, who wants to be notified every single time your coworker gets to work, or your neighbor friend gets home?
So, you'll only be notified when you're at an unusual location at an unusual time. Sounds good to me... Now all I need is Location actually working on the iPhone!

Google Latitude in the iPhone at Last

If you recall the post I write about Google Latitude friend tracking service, you'll be pleased to know it's now finally available for the iPhone as well.

Unfortunately, it's not a native App, nor has it been integrated with the existing map app... It's just a simple webpage which accesses your GPS info.

 Apple requested we release Latitude as a web application...

Apple what were you thinking about!?!

So... no way to keep your position updated regularly automatically like you can do in every other platform(!) unless you keep the browser and the Google Latitude web page open.

I'd personally prefer to have Latitude integrated in the Maps App (even more now that Google Maps is introducing layers) and have the option to update our position every X minutes or whenver we moved more than a set distance from our previos position.


Looks like Apple and its iPhone is lagging behind on something that Android, Blackberry, Symbian and even Window Mobile users can use more effectively.

iPhone 3.0 Location Daemon

Just yesterday I wrote about a location service for the iPhone, but according to some new screenshots, the tricks required to have someone clicking on the app to update your iPhone's location can soon become obsolete.
The new iPhone will almost certainly have an electronic compass.

For those wondering why you'd need an electronic compass when you already have GPS, I simply ask you - when you're standing at a crossroad and plan a new route, can you be sure which way to start walking?
The GPS can only estimate your direction once you're actually moving, until then... it can't tell you where to face.
Besides, having an electronic compass to assiste its accelerometers will enhance its precision when navigation without a GPS signal (while travelling underground, in tunnels, etc.)
Not to mention a much cooler streetview experience (as shown in the following video, showcasing the compass in Android)



However, the most important thing for me was seeing a "General Location" screen with a Location Daemon service.
Does this mean will have a background service updating our location constantly without requiring a running app to do it? It sure look so - and it would make perfect sense.
As you all know, not being able to run a App in the background is a major problem - especially when you consider such geolocation services that would require you to do so.
Manually updating your location whenever you'd remember to do so, isn't acceptable anymore, and I'm glad to see Apple doing something about it.

Let's hope this new Location daemon won't affect your battery life much, though... as it's a delicate balance, offering such a range of features while keeping a decent battery life.

Google Latitude - Check where your Friends are

As if we didn't know that location-aware services and apps will become more important than ever, Google has just launched it's realtime friend-locator service: Google Latitude.

It's now available for the Android, Blackberry, Symbian S60 and Windows Mobile platforms, and soon on the iPhone as well. Though you can still use it on your desktop browser to stalk your friend's movements.

Sure, there will be lots of people bitching around, saying Google will now have even more power, being able to track our movements - but, keep in mind: no one is forcing you to use it.
For me, I rather look at the advantages of being able to find nearby friends, and parents will also appreciate the chance to track their kids online.

Check the video to see what's it all about: