14 DAY TRIAL // The Google mobile team has announced today that they have added a new feature to Google Maps for mobiles, namely Google Latitude. The new addition is meant to offer users a simple way to find other people with the service, this way extending the functionality offered by My Location for Google Maps, a feature that was added back in November 2007.
Google Latitude come both as a new feature added to Google Maps for mobiles and as an iGoogle gadget, allowing users to share their location with friends while also allowing them to view the approximate locations of their buddies, provided that they also chose to share it. The new feature can be used via an already existent Google account and allows users to easily invite friends to Latitude using their list of contacts or by entering their email address.
In addition, Latitude also integrates Google Talk, offering users a simple way to stay in contact with friends. At the same time, they will also be able to share status messages or photos while on the go, while benefiting from all the functionality of Google Talk, including call, SMS, IM, or email.
Google Latitude is available now for a wide range of smartphone platforms including Android, Blackberry, Symbian S60, and Windows Mobile. According to the team, an iPhone version should be available soon as well. Those willing to use the feature can get it by accessing google.com/latitude from their mobile browser. The iPhone release will be available through Google Mobile App.
Latitude is also available for laptop or desktop computer users, which can share their location if they have Google Gears installed or if they are using Google Chrome. All they need to do is add Latitude to their iGoogle homepage.
Those who want to try out Latitude will be able to control the amount of information on their location they are willing to share, as well as the number of people they share it with. The feature is available in 27 countries and 42 languages. Take a look at the video below to see how it works.