Google Latitude

Google recently launched a new service called Google Latitude. The service, which is an extension of Google Maps, uses a combination of Global Positioning Systems, WiFi, and cell tower location data.

Google Latitude can provide a determination of where you are positioned on Earth by using your mobile device and the technology that your mobile devices is configured to. Latitude will work on most color-configured Blackberry devices, Windows Mobile 5.0 devices, Symbian S60 devices, and phones powered by Google’s Android mobile software, such as the T-Mobile G1.

Apple’s iPhone is not compatible yet, but sources in both camps note that this is expected to be available in the near future. To use Latitude, a new version of Google Maps must be downloaded to your mobile device. Subsequently, the end user can than invite friends to join by sending them a text or e-mail message. Friends must have a Google account with a profile image that is viewable with a custom profile. The location of all in your group can also be viewed via iGoogle. Latitude is, in essence, an extension of Google Maps. The product can be seen as oriented towards a 20- something, social networking-happy demographic, but Google reportedly tested the product in a wide range of age and professional groups to favorable responses.

As with many public social network offerings, and now the incorporation of GPS tracking, a host of issues has arisen, including child protection, and stalking issues. In addition, the idea of making your exact location viewable to even trusted friends and others in your social circle can be challenging. Google provides several ways to address the tracking and privacy issues by enabling the users to not be tracked by precisely controlling the settings of the service once configured on mobile devices. Users can chose to show their location only by city, or can enter in false locations for themselves. Despite such configuration and setting offerings, many may find the service too intrusive.

Google Ocean

Google has also introduced an addition to Google Earth, entitled Google Ocean, which maps the floor of the ocean and enables users to explore the ocean floor and terrain in three-dimensional format.

Google Ocean provides large swathes of the ocean floor and abyssal plain. The map includes 20 content layers, containing information from the world’s leading scientists, researchers, and ocean explorers. Google reports that its intentions are to enable users to explore such items as underwater volcanoes, as well as running videos on marine life, shipwrecks and clips and surf and dive spots.

The new features were developed in close collaboration with oceanographer Sylvia Earle and an advisory council of more than 25 ocean advocates and scientists.

Many marine and ocean conversation officials are hoping that the tool will improve awareness of the public on issues facing undersea life and prevent some business firms from damaging the natural resources that the seas provide for the planet.

There are also updates on the terrestrial side, including GPS tracking, virtual time travel– where users can observe changes in satellite images, such as the 2006 World Cup stadium or the desertification of Africa’s Lake Chad– and narrated tours of imagery and content in Google Earth. There are also updates to the Mars 3D section, so if users have had enough of the blue planet, they can always look at the red one.

The BBC, the largest broadcasting firm worldwide, and the National Geographic Society have partnered with Google for the project to include videos, shipwrecks, marine life and the like. Other notable partners include: The Cousteau Society, a non-profit organization that has produced over 115 films and books regarding marine life and exploration; and Eco-Nova Productions of Halifax, Nova Scotia who produce TV programming in the form of underwater documentaries. Additional partners include: The Magellanic Penguin Project, a project focused on the largest colony of Magellanic penguins in the world in Punta Tombo, Argentina. It was started in 1982 to prevent a Japanese company from harvesting penguins for gloves, meat, and oil. The project conducts long-term studies to understand and measure the impact humans are having on the environment. Among others are The Monterey Bay Aquarium, a non-profit who works in ocean conservation, and the New England Aquarium in ocean exploration and marine conservation. Over 50 partners are involved in the venture.