Just read a post about GPS company Garmin partering with where.com company ULocate. If you are not aware- where.com provides gps social networking attributes to most mobile phones. I have had it on my iPhone for about two weeks now.

‘WHERE™ is a location-based application chock-full of widgets that deliver essential information about what’s around you. Are you looking for the hottest restaurants, jonesing for your next coffee fix, or running dangerously low on gas and need a cheap fill-up? Maybe you just want to connect with some friends. Whatever you’re after, WHERE delivers the best in local information from Eventful, Yelp, GasBuddy, Zipcar, ShopLocal, Starbucks, Buddy Beacon® and more.’ 

This sounds very cool! I am able to see what’s around me – ok

 I wonder about privacy though. Do I really want people knowing where I am? Where they could just at the click of a button see that I was or am at Starbucks. Ohhh… but maybe this will come in handy for my family… no they could just call me and ask where I am. Location based sharing – is not going to be hot at any time, it’s not going to take off- nobody wants to be watched or share where they are. Facebook already has created social problems for many. People can see if you are telling the truth, watch your online activity. I have heard of at least five relationships ending because of Facebook. Jealousy of online conversations with others.  

So what social problems will emerge where people can now watch not only your online life but your physical one as well?

I just don’t see it happening-

Tags: Buddy Beacon, Eventful, garmin, GasBuddy, iphone apps, lbs, location based services, sharing lbs, ShopLocal, Starbucks, ulocate, Yelp, Zipcar

This entry was posted on Friday, August 22nd, 2008 at 2:42 pm and is filed under Mobile. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.