The new Google Maps feature Latitude, which debuted six months ago for several smartphones, has arrived for the iPhone. Well, sort of. It's a web application made to work with the handset, rather than a downloadable, native app.

Wired.com covered Latitude in February, but here's a quick recap of how it works: Google users have to opt in to use the Latitude feature and invite friends to join. Then, you and your Latitude-connected buddies can view each other's locations on a map, denoted by personalized icons. That way, you can spot buddies nearby and send them a text, e-mail or IM to meet up.

Because Latitude is a web app, iPhone users must access the feature by visiting in their Safari browsers. From there, they can create a shortcut to the web app on their Home screen by tapping the + icon, then selecting "Add to Home Screen" and "Add."

The downside of Latitude for iPhone: It can't run in the background. So each time you close the Safari app to open your e-mail, for example, you lose connection to the service. So much for real-time stalking your exes.

Google Latitude. Now for iPhone. [The Official Google Mobile Blog]

See Also: