Verizon Wireless and Loopt Bring Social Mapping to Mobile Phones
Verizon Wireless today announced that it will be offering Loopt, a social mapping service, on select handsets starting next month.
Loopt will allow Verizon customers to share their locations as well as geo-tagged photos with other customers who are in their community of friends. Loopt users will be able to view a map that displays the locations of their network of friends and even provides directions to meet up with them. Users can share their location information with anyone in their address book or AIM buddy lists. Loopt effectively transforms your phone into an active social tool, allowing you to connect and share the real world. Vice president of digital media programming for Verizon, Ryan Hughes believes "Loopt offers Verizon Wireless customers a fun, unique and powerful way to connect with friends and share information ... [and] enhances the mobile experience by letting friends stay in touch with and informed of their friends’ lives – wherever they go." Sam Altman, CEO and co-founder of Loopt adds that "location is the redefining element of mobile communication and the consumer experience [and] location interoperability and accessibility is the gateway that extends the reach, value and power of mobile devices for all consumers."
Loopt is currently the social mapping industry leader and offers effective privacy and security features with its product. Locations can only be shared with friends via private networks with permission. The software can be shut off at any time and can also be used selectively. Loopt is TRUSTe certified and works with organizations such as the Family Online Safety Institute, ConnectSafely.org and the Center for Democracy & Technology.
Loopt will be available for purchase for Verizon Wireless customers in the beginning of April. It will be available for $3.99/month on more than 20 Get It Now capable phones including the LG Chocolate, MOTORIZR Z6tv and the Verizon Wireless G’zOne Type-S.
[via Verizon]
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