14 DAY TRIAL // Using a mobile phone to find your way to a place or another courtesy of navigation software is not something unusual, nor is it to check-in to a place or another. Applications that enable these features are plenty, but now there is one that combines them both, namely Google Maps 5.1 for Android, which has just got updated with check in capabilities in Google Latitude.
While the service would still offer users the possibility to update and share location, the addition of the new feature into the mix was meant to “add context to the location,” Google notes.
Since Latitude is integrated into Google Maps for Android, the new feature would work across Latitude and Maps seamlessly. Have a look at the video below to learn more on the matter.
Some of the features that were enabled through this integration would include the ability to head over to the Place page for a restaurant as a friend checks in at the place, or easily launch Google Maps Navigation (Beta) to get turn-by-turn directions to the place, and more.
Users can set Latitude for easy check in, through a series of features that Google added into the mix:
Notifications: Turn on check-in notifications in Latitude’s settings and get a notification to check in at a nearby place once you arrive. Never forget to check in again. Automatic check-ins: Choose to automatically check in at specific places you designate, and you’ll be checked in when you’re there. You can talk to friends or finish your bagel without fumbling with your phone. Check out: Once you leave, Latitude knows to automatically check you out of places so friends aren’t left guessing if you’re still there.
Users that check in often at a favorite place would gain special status there, going from 'Regular', to 'VIP' or 'Guru', something that they can always verify on the Place page for that destination. All they would need to do is to keep on checking in to that place.
Of course, users can opt to share their check-ins with friends, or can keep those details to themselves. The feature is similar with the sharing of location with Latitude. Later this week, users would also have the possibility to view their complete history of check-ins through the optional History tab at google.com/latitude on their computers.
The option is now available for all Android 1.6+ devices. Users would simply have to head to the Android Market to download the latest version of Google Maps. The new check in option is accessible in all areas where Maps and Latitude were already available. The feature will soon arrive on iPhone too.
