Google today has added the ability to locate smart phones based on the nearest cell tower fix in its Google Maps for mobile application. An article in today’s New York Times outlines and tests the capability.
I was pleased to see the author’s comment, and previous post, that speculate that a Google phone would have Free GPS. It’s a needed next step for the mass adoption of LBS services, and something that I’ve commented on in the past.
There’s also the mention of privacy concerns. Turns out that the request for directions is completely anonymous, but if you ask for a business near you then that information is logged and presumably shared.
