Google today rolled out a new version of Latitude in Google Maps that has introduced an experimental real-time tracker feature. The option lets users choose to "temporarily" get live updates from individual friends. Seeing others only needs Android 1.6, but those tracked need to have Android 2.2 or later to broadcast their positions.
Controversially, the company hasn't said whether other users are asked permission before they're tracked. Latitude, which shows friends' positions and updates on the map itself requires permission to start but may not necessarily let users know that they're being tracked in real time. Electronista has contacted Google for comment, but the company hasn't had an opportunity to respond as of press time.
All users now see revamped Place pages that show reviews more like the new desktop layouts, including those outside of Google. Similarly, readers can now filter out results based on which stores are still open, confine them to a particular neighborhood or look at related searches around the web.
Google hasn't said if or when any of the new features will work into the iPhone app. iOS 4 would allow Latitude to run on the iPhone, but privacy concerns may prevent real-time tracking. Latitude hasn't made it to Google Mobile App on iOS so far and will usually run only in a web app that stops when the browser is closed.
Source: electronista
