TECHNOLOGY TIP - GOOGLE'S LATEST APPLICATION
On February 4th, Google released its newest
mobile device feature, the Latitude "Stalking"
application that's able to track your friend's whereabouts. My initial
reaction was, "Wow, imagine what Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction could have
done with today's technology." Now,
Glenn Close might be slightly frustrated but Michael Douglas perhaps would be
relieved to learn that Latitude has an opt-in feature. In other words, stalkers cannot see your
location without your consent.
To know where your friends are at all times with Google
Latitude, you will need to install the latest version of Google Maps. Latitude works on Google's G1, most color
Blackberry's and other smart phones.
Google is now working to expand Latitude Stalking capabilities to iPhone, iPod Touch and Sony Ericsson phones.
Keep in mind that tracking people via Latitude is less than
perfect. Your friend's location may come
close but it's not exactly precise. Also
comforting - you can easily change your privacy setting to hide your location
from others or sign out of Latitude. Perhaps
this inaccuracy is a sigh of relief in terms of the creepy stalker factor.
CATHY MALLERS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
