So this week the all mighty Google *bows* released its new mobile application called Latitude. Interestingly it fits with Wired Mag’s recent article named “Inside the GS Revolution” which is of a similar theme. So what is this new possible killer app from Google? Through the use of a mobile browser ( only through certain OS’) a user can access this app and and through the use of invites basically tether themselves to thier friends or family through the use of GPS. Users can find out where and what their contacts are doing and have the option to contact them through phone or Google talk.
The general consensus I’ve been hearing in discussions of this new project is ” That’s a Stalker’s dream tool!” and truthfully if you think about it today with people handing out friend invites so easily if someone really wanted to they could follow someone else around town. But there is also the thought that you are also giving Google the ability to know where you are and more knowledge of your communications. This gets into some questionable discussion areas.
Thinking about this app in a business sense it could hit some interesting ground though. Looking at it on a firm by firm basis it could be used to track sales staff and know the location of employees who are often out on business trips. It could be used at conventions and large business to tell customers of the location of key employees for tours, discussions or service. But on the marketing side of things I think is where things can get really interesting.
Looking back to my Wired Magazine reference, in the late 1990’s the company brought forward the idea of convergence and push media. This tool could be used in combination with an application such as Twitter where not only do we learn a friend/colleagues location but also have that added dimension of a micro blog post. Look at this program as well on a commercial level and a person could explore an area and be pushed coupons or promotions based on the proximity of the store or company. Allow for the micro blog postings of customers within a certain store and it could also be communicated outwards the quality of products, or the thoughts about certain aspects of a store( this would probably need to be tweeked…. a system like this could probably cause screen clutter really fast!).
Looking at this application on a privacy sense it is a little scary but Google does work to ease fears a bit by allowing a hide feature . But how are you going to hide from Google?! With the increased usage of smart phones there are many opportunities coming up in the future for people and businesses to interact with one another adding an increased layer of choice and knowledge for the customer and another measurement tool for the firm. Lets see how widely accepted this program is in the months to come……
Have any Questions/Comments? Contact me at kevin.richard@ryerson.ca or send me a twitter message.
