# Google Latitude

> location-aware feature of Google Maps

**Wikidata**: [Q1011979](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1011979)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Latitude)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/google-latitude

## Summary

Google Latitude is a software application that originated in the United States.

## Summary
Google Latitude was a location-aware feature integrated into Google Maps that allowed users to share their real-time location with friends. Developed by Google, it operated on multiple mobile platforms before being discontinued in 2013. It emphasized privacy by requiring users to opt in to location sharing.

## Key Facts
- **Discontinued on**: August 9, 2013.
- **Developed by**: Google.
- **Available on**: Android, iOS, BlackBerry OS, Windows Mobile, and S60.
- **Replaced**: Dodgeball service.
- **Privacy model**: Required users to explicitly opt in to share their location.
- **Functionality**: Enabled real-time location sharing via Google Maps.

## FAQs
### Q: What happened to Google Latitude?
A: Google Latitude was discontinued on August 9, 2013, with its features partially incorporated into Google Maps.

### Q: Was Google Latitude available on all mobile platforms?
A: It supported Android, iOS, BlackBerry OS, Windows Mobile, and S60, but not all operating systems.

### Q: How did Google Latitude handle privacy?
A: Users had to manually opt in to share their location, and controls allowed customization of visibility settings.

## Why It Matters
Google Latitude was an early example of mainstream location-sharing technology, integrating social networking with mapping services. It highlighted both the utility and privacy concerns of real-time tracking, influencing later location-based features in Google Maps and other platforms. Its cross-platform support made it accessible to a wide audience, though its discontinuation reflected shifts toward more integrated solutions like Google+.

## Notable For
- **Early location-sharing integration**: Combined social features with Google Maps.
- **Opt-in privacy model**: Prioritized user consent for location tracking.
- **Cross-platform compatibility**: Supported five major mobile operating systems.
- **Replacement of Dodgeball**: Succeeded Google’s earlier social networking service.

## Body
### Overview
Google Latitude was a geosocial networking feature within Google Maps, enabling users to share their real-time location with designated contacts. It operated as a web application and mobile service, emphasizing user-controlled privacy settings.

### Launch and Discontinuation
- **Discontinued**: August 9, 2013.
- **Legacy**: Some features were absorbed into Google Maps, while social aspects shifted to Google+.

### Platforms and Compatibility
- **Supported operating systems**: Android, iOS, BlackBerry OS, Windows Mobile, and S60.
- **Access methods**: Web interface (http://latitude.google.com) and mobile apps.

### Features
- **Location sharing**: Users could choose to broadcast their live location.
- **Privacy controls**: Options to hide location, limit visibility to specific contacts, or disable tracking entirely.
- **Integration**: Worked alongside Google Maps for navigation and directions.

### Technical Details
- **Replacement**: Superseded Dodgeball, a similar service acquired by Google in 2005.
- **Development**: Created by Google, aligning with its focus on location-based services.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
  "name": "Google Latitude",
  "description": "Discontinued location-aware feature of Google Maps for real-time location sharing.",
  "operatingSystem": "Android, iOS, BlackBerry OS, Windows Mobile, S60",
  "applicationCategory": "https://schema.org/SocialNetworkingService",
  "downloadURL": "http://latitude.google.com",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1011979",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Latitude"
  ],
  "softwareVersion": "Discontinued",
  "datePublished": "2009",
  "discontinuedDate": "2013-08-09",
  "publisher": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Google",
    "url": "https://www.google.com"
  }
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. Quora