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• Google Maps is a web-based mapping service that allows users to get driving directions, view satellite photos of earth, and use various other map-based functions. Google Maps is a free application from the search engine Google.Official Site: Google Maps

  On February 4, 2009, Google announced the release of the Google maps feature Latitude. The feature allows smartphone and laptop users to share their location with their contacts, if they chose to do so, by being tracked by GPS.PC Magazine: Here I Am! Google Latitude Map Tool Launches (February 4, 2009) Official Site: Google Latitude PC World: Google Latitude Service Lets You Track Your Friends: How It Works (February 4, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. First Announced: February 8, 2005Official Site: Google Maps
  2. Price: FreeOfficial Site: Google Maps
  3. Registration: Not requiredOfficial Site: Google Maps
  4. Allows users to create customized maps
  5. Users can also embed maps on their Web sites
  6. Features a route planner for pedestrians, bicycles, carsOfficial Site: Google Maps
  7. Urban business locater for multiple countriesOfficial Site: Google Maps
  8. The feature Latitude launched on February 4, 2009
  9. Google is the world's most popular search engineBloomberg: Google Maps Lets Users Track Friends’ Locations (February 4, 2009)

• Google Maps Competitors

  • MapQuest
  • Wikimapia
  • Ask.com Maps
  • Yahoo! Maps
  • Microsoft Virtual Earth
  • Live Search Maps

• Google Latitude

  Google Latitude was launched on February 4, 2009. It allows smartphone and laptop users to share their location with their contacts through Google Maps, if they chose to do so, by being tracked by GPS. Anyone with Internet access can view locations of contacts who choose to share it.

  1. Displays a general location, not an exact onePC World: Google Latitude Service Lets You Track Your Friends: How It Works (February 4, 2009)
  2. Uses GPS satellites and cell phone towers to track locations of users who allow itPC World: Google Latitude Service Lets You Track Your Friends: How It Works (February 4, 2009)
  3. Those who track their contacts' locations can see their images on a Google mapPC World: Google Latitude Service Lets You Track Your Friends: How It Works (February 4, 2009)
  4. Can click on image to call, instant message or email themPC World: Google Latitude Service Lets You Track Your Friends: How It Works (February 4, 2009)
  5. Works in 27 countriesOfficial Site: Google Latitude
  6. Users can choose to temporarily hide their locationBloomberg: Google Maps Lets Users Track Friends’ Locations (February 4, 2009)

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Google Maps Mobile | Google Street View | Google My Location | Google Earth | Google | MapQuest | Microsoft Virtual Earth | GeoEye 1 | Swine Flu Map | How to Pick a GPS Device | Google Wave

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