Where am I… Were are the kids?
If it seems like I am a Google fan, well I am. It’s not because they are the best, they just innovate, combine technologies into useful things that really just work. Not a lot of thinking, guesswork or expense.
Take the latest from Google, Google Latitude, see the CBS News play. Not without its shortcomings, this is a location based service that provides you a map and the locations of people who will let you know where they are. There are others like Loopt and of course the ones offered by the cell phone companies for some extra fee per month.
What is interesting is the term “My cell leash” now takes on a new meaning. Now you know where the kids are, which mall. You know where your employees are (assuming its a company phone and you can make them run the app). Companies and people in general who start to leverage these technologies can do a lot. Now, for a not a lot of money, servicing companies can make much better dispatch decisions, including estimating time of arrival.
Of course the social implications are huge too. On the down side, Google can now start streaming proximity based ads to your phone like, “The Papa Johns on your right has a special on pizza today.” There is no doubt this technology is in its infinity, but will only continue to expand as the younger generations really don’t mind having limited privacy.
If nothing else, its a technology for the masses that should be watched.
Karl Weir
Director of Consulting, Globalquest Solutions Inc.
Tags: Technology Today
