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Google Latitude: Digital Ubiquity One Step Closer But for What Purpose?

Posted by John Saddington on Jun 11, 2009

latitude_badgeI’ve been mulling over the possibilities of being omnipresent everywhere (at least online) and what value that could actually bring.

Google Latitude’s Google Public Location Badge is one such service, which essentially lets you publish your location on your blog or website via any mobile device.

You can, of course, choose to show just the city or have your device do it automatically via detection, using GPS, Wi-Fi, or Cell Tower ID.

google_latitude_exampleObviously there are a number of security issues and privacy issues that are obvious to the normal user, especially if it’s being updated automatically.

But can letting the world know where you are all the time be of any practical value?

Taking it a bit further for us, is there any reason why the Church would need something like this?

It’s a nifty and novel idea, but I’m having a hard time thinking of uses for it.

Certainly it would be “neat” to see where the missionaries you’re supporting are, but it would be an obvious hazard and danger in areas where secrecy and silence keep them alive.

What are your thoughts?

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John Saddington

John is the Chief Editor @ The 8BIT Network and Senior Blog Junkie here at ChurchCrunch.He enjoys Triple-Tall Americanos, developing Wordpress Themes, and a few other Random Things.

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7 Responses to “Google Latitude: Digital Ubiquity One Step Closer But for What Purpose?”

  1. Christina
    Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 1:19 pm

    Mmm, maybe this is where I'm finally old school 'cause I don't see the need for it. It's just for fun…another marketing thing? Otherwise the risk for security and privacy are not worth it.

    Can it track in live time? Like if someone is running a marathon you could track them online?

    Reply
  2. Terrell
    Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 1:35 pm

    I'd like to be able to track my kids – but probably for the same reason they would not like me to track them.

    Reply
    • human3rror
      Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 2:05 pm

      yeah… that would be… hmm.

      Reply
  3. JPLosier
    Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    For me, it's about accountability. I let my wife know where I am, anytime she wants to know. It gave her peace of mind when I was driving from Texas to Missouri and back one weekend, that she could see my progress. It also means that I'm not going anywhere that I shouldn't. I see it like CovenantEyes for me physically.

    I don't know if I'd make my location public, though. Not that I'm doing anything wrong, but I don't want some random person to be able to walk up to me, guided by their phone, because they disliked this comment, for example. :-)

    Reply
  4. human3rror
    Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 4:10 pm

    interesting personal example. thanks for that. I didn't think of that one.

    Reply
  5. andydarnell
    Monday, June 22, 2009 at 1:12 am

    Don't see the point. It will likely be used to personalize marketing messages to individuals. IE Digital Signage.

    Minority Report, here we come… Doh, not minority Report… Total Recall? What is the movie?

    Reply
    • human3rror
      Monday, June 22, 2009 at 2:11 am

      but minority report was so cool…!

      …

      Reply