Location-tracking mobile services are wacky cool or ominously scary, depending on how you look at it. There are numerous location-based social networks out there that allow you to keep track (literally) of your group of friends, but the one thing they all have in common on the iPhone is the inability to update location data in the background. But, not anymore. Loopt, one of the biggest location-aware social networks out there, has announced that they are now the first out the door with background location tracking. With their Always-On Location Service for iPhone, Loopt allows you to keep your account updated with real-time location data.
This is the first service for the iPhoneTM to do this – Loopt continues to push the boundaries of location technologies to provide you with the best experiences possible. Always-on location is incredibly valuable because it gives you and your friends highly relevant, actionable information. We are confident you’ll enjoy the experience it offers.
No third-party app on the iPhone (at least those on the AppStore) are allowed to work in the background. Loopt makes background location tracking possible by working with AT&T. Apparently, Loopt goes to AT&T and requests your location at regular 1-2 hour intervals. It’s not real-time tracking, it’s not literally running in the background, and it’s a little scary that AT&T would give up location data to Loopt, but at least Always-On Location Tracking makes it easy to stalk your friends!
The service will eventually cost $3.99 for every month you ask Loopt to hook you up with background location tracking. Loopt is only accepting 5,000 users into their Always-On Location Service as of now. The service will first go live in testing, with fingers crossed for a more wide scale launch down the line. Apply for the trial program here!
[Via: SiliconAlleyInsider]