Nokia jumps on location-based mobile social networking bandwagon with Nokia Chat

by Chris Ziegler, posted Jul 14th 2008 at 9:18PM

Services like Loopt and Whrrl are trying to break the door down on a potentially huge new market by convincing phone users that it's totally cool for your friends to know exactly where you are at any given time. Potentially scary, yes, but the benefits are obvious -- and when all the security and privacy issues have been squared away, it could be a big deal. Nokia's diving into the fray now with Chat, an IM client currently in beta that integrates with your contact list and allows selected friends to see one anothers' locations in real time. That in itself isn't novel, but the app also allows you to mark off landmarks which will automatically trigger broadcast messages to your friends with zero involvement or interaction with the phone. Kinda nifty for letting folks know when you show up to work or school, for example -- as long as you're not chronically late, anyhow. Follow the break for a video intro of the system.

Filed under: Software, Nokia, Symbian

Tags: chat, lbs, nokia, nokia chat, NokiaChat

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Anthony @ Jul 14th 2008 9:39PM

My experience w/ the N95 is that it couldn't keep a GPS signal going unless you used data. Plus the battery went down might quick when turned on.

N82 has proved much more competent (& I currently love the Sports Tracker functions).

Still- I don't keep it on unless I'm using it. Can't think I'm alone. Maybe I'm just not social enough.

Neutral

carlo2 @ Jul 15th 2008 12:02AM

Hasn't been my experience. n95 uses true gps. Tools>connectivity>gps data. Check that out. Gave me coordinates where I had zero cell signal. Either way the n82 I think has way better power management since it's newer.

Anyway I think it's for all nokia phones with gps.

Highly Ranked

carlo2 @ Jul 15th 2008 12:18AM

Whoa there tiger. Nokia's been doing gps location-based social networking for a VERY long time now, you should know that Chris!!! GYPSii in 2007?

Perhaps you meant "nokia adds to the social networking buzz by" or "Nokia shifts its social networking..." or "iPhone social networking buzz gets nokia's social networking back into full gear". That's more accurate don't you think?

But to say it as though they hadn't heard of it is a bad misstatement. I bought mine ready to go with full capabilities. The chat is just a new feature.

Neutral