Last week Google launched a Web application version of latitude, that geolocation-based social tracking service. Apple's request, Google opted to make it a Web application instead of a native application that required installation. This is a fully bad thing as I found out after extended use this weekend. There's a lot to like, and some that's not so great.
The good:- Easy to use. If you've got it set to automatically refresh your location you just have a fire it up from a bookmark, or home screen shortcut.
- You can keep it running in a browser tab at the same time as you're doing things in other tabs. It's almost like running multiple applications at once!
- We can works in both portrait and landscape modes. And impressive about landscape mode, is you can still drag your finger around the map without scrolling the rest of the page.
- Really granular control over. Who want to see where you are and what you're doing. Right down to a per-friend level.
- Turn-by-turn driving directions in your browser.
The bad:- Safari-only, which means no push notification, full-screen user interface.
- Missing some of Google Maps' bells and whistles including things like walking directions, Street View and public transportation.
- When compared to the Google Maps application it's slightly slow. Filling out forms and response when clicking on a button can be a bit delayed. Might just be our old, chugging iPhone 3G though.
Labels: Google, google features, google updates, New feature in google
