Earlier this week Google launched software called Latitude that allows cell phone users to share their location with any of their contacts while also seeing their contacts' locations as well. A user's location is judged not only by GPS satellite but also by proximity to mobile phone towers and wireless networks. For privacy reasons, no one can see your location if you do not sign up for the software. Furthermore, if you do sign up for Latitude, you must provide a list of contact names who have permission to see your location. You can share your precise location or just the city you're in, depending on the contact. My question is, is this software really necessary? Is it something you would be interested in? Is Latitude an indication that we have become so lazy in our communicating that we would rather allow people to see our geographic location on a cell phone screen rather than tell them directly? Or, is Latitude a worthwhile software that might make communication easier?
(If you don't get the Harry Potter reference in the title, don't worry about it. I was just trying to be clever.)
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/02/04/google.latitude/index.html
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Wow! When I first read this, I was really excited! How cool! Finally, some really useful applications of GPS technology. However, you brought up a great point Kyle: Is Latitude just another indication of the laziness of our society? Unfortunately, I believe it is indeed an indication of the degradation of communication in modern times. In times past, people enjoyed talking to one another (can you believe it)! People would get to know their switchboard operator, their grocer, the man that pumped their gas, the police officer, their neighbors, etc. (I know this because of the Andy Griffith show lol). But seriously, relationships have gotten less personal in modern times. Have you ever gotten online to look up some information just so you wouldn't have to call someone? Facebook invites eliminate the need to ask someone about the evening's social events. And now Latitude will allow you to see where your friends are, at the click of a button! You won't even need to txt them to see their location. It will be interesting to see how Latitude improves and deteriorates communication...
ReplyDeleteI had a similar reaction to Cooper’s. Latitude does seem like an amazing new advancement, but then I grew worried. If this program exists for the public, just imagine what else is out there that the government or our enemies could be using. I realize that I’m just following the “Big Brother” conspiracy, but Latitude could be scary if people’s information falls into the wrong hands. Furthermore, this software does seem like it plays into our tendency to be lazy. Why can’t we use the phone like we always have used it? Though, Latitude could be a neat product to help police find missing people.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I really like the title of this post.
Another point to this could be: What is the point to this new technology? There aren't really any practical uses for this technology in day to day life. Sure it can be useful for finding a lost child or something, but there are already devices for doing just that. It seems to me to just be another way of stalking people so that you can send more text messages saying "I see you!"
ReplyDelete