» Loopt - GPS Based Social Networking Service

With GPS receivers starting to penetrate the cell phone market and new developments GPS SIM receiver by BlueSky Positioning Ltd (UK) poised to quicken the speed of uptake, location based services are beginning to emerge in greater quantity and variety. GPS social networking is a location based service that is adding variety to the mix.

The basic concept underlying GPS social networking is the ability to share one’s location dynamically. Privacy is ensured by the opt-in nature of the location sharing whereby users can manage their list of those who can know their location. Many phone calls made between friends and family are made to check up on where people are. By sharing ones location anyone on your sharing list can see just where you are in real time. Its easy to imagine the benefits for families - particularly anxious parents.

Loopt is a new GPS social networking service being provided by Boost Mobile, a Sprint/Nextel subsidiary. Its core feature is a “My Friends” page which provides a map of where friends (those who share their location with you) are. Using icons users can see a friends status (available or not) and send SMS text messages or chirps (short pings to their cell phone to let them know you are close). Using a journal feature it’s possible to share photos and other information.

While the concept of sharing one’s location seems fairly basic it seems certain to be a tool a majority of cell phone users will find useful in managing their social networks including family and friends.

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