Loopt is a new friend-tracking service for cell phones. It uses the GPS feature of cell phones to track locations of other users. It combines friend tracking features with Myspace like capabilities. Loopt subscribers can access the service on their cell phones or on Loopts’ web page at www.loopt.com.
Currently Loopt service is available with Sprint PCS, Nextel and Boost Mobile on select GPS enabled phones. Service costs $2.99 a month. Loopt is currently offering a “try it free for 30 days” special.
With Loopt, users can add other Loopt users to their list, to enable them to track each others locations. Using Loopts “Friend Finder” feature, a person can view a detailed map of the locations where all the friends on their list are. Friends on your list will also be able to see a detailed map of your location. Loopt will even send you a message when friends are near you. Loopt warns users to be safe and only add trusted friends and family to their list.
Loopt users can make a profile for users on their list to view. A Loopt profile is similar to a Myspace page where users can post pictures and journal type entries. Users can tag pictures with their location and upload them to their profile and share them with friends. Loopt also has a “Create Event” feature where users can tag a photo with the location of an event that they want to invite their friends to. Event information can be sent to one or multiple users.
Loopt is geared towards customers who want to keep track of friends and family. It is likely that teenagers will be interested in this service. Some parents might like to use this service to keep track of their children. Companies might find the service useful to keep tabs on their employees.
Some might be concerned about the safety of Loopts’ service. Loopt states that their service is safe because you have to opt-in to allow others to view your location. That sounds good, but am I confident the system is hacker proof? No. Will teenagers use common sense on who they allow on their friend list, some probably won’t. I think that it is a real concern that teens will allow acquaintances or even strangers on their list. Myspace has proven that teens often trust those that they shouldn’t
Does this service cross the boundary of privacy. I think for many it does. A lot of people don’t want their location known at all times. I definitely think that it would be a privacy violation if businesses were to use it to track their employees.
With the era of Myspace where teens share their private lives with the public, Loopt seems like a service that teenagers will crave. I think success will depend on a couple of factors. Loopt is currently only available with Sprint, Nextel and Boost but says that it will be available with other cell companies soon. I think that it will have to be available with most of the main cellular companies in order to be successful. Safety will be a big issue. If the service proves to be vulnerable to hackers, I don’t see parents allowing their teens to use it.
Loopt has potential, but I think that they have to prove themselves as being a safe product to the public in order to see success.
Source:
www.loopt.com
