The Google Latitude service is an opt-in feature in Google Maps for mobile that allows you to share your location with your friends and family. Users visit http://google.co.uk/latitude from their phone's mobile browser to download Google Maps for mobile with Latitude.
Using a Google account, a user invites their friends and family to join Google Latitude. Once they accept, their profile picture appears on a map on the user's mobile device. They can click on a friend's icon on the map to call, text, IM or email them. Latitude can also provide directions to their location.
The search giant is expected to draw scrutiny over the privacy implications of the tracking software.
Google is assuring users that they can hide their location from friends or turn off Google Latitude completely at any time.
Google Latitude is available in 27 countries on devices including BlackBerry devices, most Windows Mobile 5.0 plus devices and Nokia smartphones.
Support for iGoogle users and Android-powered devices such as the T-Mobile G1, and Apple's iPhone is in development.
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