The iPhone OS doesn’t allow third-party apps to run in the background, so location services such as Loopt and Google Latitude are unable to track your location at all times, something they can do on other mobile platforms. According to Business Insider, that’s all about to change, at least in sneaky sort of way, thanks to a deal Loopt has made with AT&T to offer always-on location services.
Via a deal with AT&T, and with your permission, Loopt will be able to access your location all the time you have a network connection, even when you’re not actively using the iPhone app. (The app isn’t running in the background; it’s working server-to-server.) Loopt cofounder and CEO Sam Altman tells us that it’s been users’ most requested feature.
The Loopt app itself isn’t being given any extra special privileges, it’s just that AT&T is allowing the service to communicate server-to-server in the background even while the app isn’t launched. No more opening up the app to update your location, it will be all done for you. The service will be completely opt-in, so you won’t have to worry about your location being broadcasted if you are using the free Loopt app. Of course, there are some catches.
First off, the service will be subscription-based, meaning you will be charged $3.99 per month to utilize it, and that cost will show up on your AT&T bill every single month. Loopt is offering a 14 day “free trial” to 5,000 customers, but you must be in the U.S., own an iPhone with a data plan and a text messaging plan, AND once the free trial has ended, you must cancel the subscription to ensure you won’t be charged for future months.
Another glaring point is that even though the service is “always-on,” your location is only updated every 1-2 hours. Plus, the service only uses cell tower triangulation and nothing more, which means it won’t be as accurate as GPS.
So basically Loopt found a loophole in Apple’s system and went straight to AT&T with it. This gives them a huge advantage over the many competing location-based social networking services and it definitely will be interesting to see what happens next. Specifically, how will Google respond to these new developments? It must feel like a slap in the face considering their competing service, Google Latitude, was relegated to a web app, and their much-hyped Google Voice app got placed in app approval purgatory.
Are any of you willing to drop $3.99 per month on an always-on location service for your iPhone?
no. Even if the additional service was free, i don’t think it would drive me to download the app. I’m not so narcissistic that i need people to know (or think people want to know) where i am at all times.
I just paid for iLocalis. I think we are witnessing monoplization by Apple in that they allow their apps to run in the background while 3rd parties cannot, even though they have to have their apps approved by Apple. While there are many features offered by MobileMe, one pertinant to this post is the fact that you can locate your phone, thus this must mean they have location services running in the background. So, they are limiting competition by blocking functionality they themselves use.
this needs to be google latitude and this needs to be free.
at&t really only wants stuff on phones that they can make money from. they cant make money from google latitude….so it wont be allowed on the phone. watch my words.
Updates every 1-2hrs? Cell triangulation? for $3.99/mo? This is horrible, inaccurate, and can barely be considered “always on”.
Jailbroken users who want REAL tracking with the option for stealth, should check out these two posts:
http://iphoneworld.codinghut.com/2009/07/navizon-1-latitude-0/
http://iphoneworld.codinghut.com/2009/08/bullet-proof-tracking-for-your-iphone/
Just think about it…
This could lead to always on todo apps, that would remind you of a task when you are in the area you need to perform the task at. One problem I’ve always had with todo lists, is I forget to check it from time to time. This could lead to a new wave of todo application; location-aware todo applications.
Have you ever arrived home to realize you forgot to buy milk while you were out. Now imagine your todo app reminding you to buy milk as you were driving by the grocery store where you regularly shop.
I would pay $100 for such an app. Any takers?
@Dan:
A location-aware todo app with push notification? Already available: Remember The Milk.
Or was it Reqall? One of those apps has that feature (although I don’t use that feature, which is why I’m struggling to remember which).
Also, as I think about it, they don’t report your location constantly, because they can’t (hence this article). But I’m pretty sure both apps have a variation of what you’re wanting — even if you just have to tickle the app by launching it, when you’re in another neighborhood. Then, after doing so, you can receive reminders (email/text/pushed reminders) based upon your current location.
Not 100% what you want, but better than nothing.
I COMPLETELY AGREE! My personal favorite is OmniFocus. If you’ve ever used it, there’s ALREADY location aware options, but you’ve got to manually click it. If they could implement this, I would pay $19.99/mo EASILY. Hell, I’m probably wasting that anyway in gas that I have to use to go BACK OUT when I’ve already come home! lmao.
I think this needs to be brought up… DESPERATELY.
And that’s my point. I don’t want to have to tickle the app from time to time. I want it to know where I’m at constantly. That doesn’t exist yet, but the agreement Loopt is getting from AT&T means we’re one step closer.
really, someone should get on the ball with this. you have all made good points. come on apple, the iphone could be soooo much better. how about knocking out the 300 flashlight apps and come up with a good one like all these good people are talking about sheeeeesh……..