Facebook launches "Places," geo-location service that's both cool and

Facebook launches "Places," geo-location service that's both cool and creepy

It was perhaps the worst kept secret since, well, Apple’s iPhone 4. Facebook today is announcing a new feature, called Places, that allows users to share their locations with friends - and allows their friends to be updated in real-time.
The goal, of course, is to take the virtual relationships that we’ve recreated with old friends on Facebook and bring them into the physical world, too. And, if you really start to look beyond that, you can imagine the interaction you might have with local businesses who will know that you’re in the area - and might want to entice you into their businesses with a coupon or some other promotion.

More: Facebook launches "Places," geo-location service that's both cool and creepy | ZDNet

Major issue with this is with Facebook's wonderful security record, it will probably turn into a service for burglars - if they know you're at the pub with the wife - they know there's no-one home

This could also work to the benifit of the police.

Burglar2010 says "Sweet just found an awesome house to rob. will post pics"
Posted on tuesday 10 people liked this
Catattack replied "sweet. franky was wondering about that debt. Glad to see you walking still"
Franky replied "Wheres my money foo?"

See and then the police will know where he is going.... and try to find "Franky"

I am still waiting for them to go paid subscriptions

DirtRider said:

I am still waiting for them to go paid subscriptions

You mean you would have to pay to use facebook? No way,they would lose money that way.

Works only in the USA at the moment

DirtRider said:

I am still waiting for them to go paid subscriptions

I think a ton of people would immediately leave. They like it, but they wouldn't pay for it.

Users' real-time location being posted to the Internet?

...Are they insane?

BCXtreme said:

Users' real-time location being posted to the Internet?

...Are they insane?

This isn't a new concept by any means

Foursquare and Gowalla come to mind

Kirsch said:

BCXtreme said:

Users' real-time location being posted to the Internet?

...Are they insane?

This isn't a new concept by any means

Foursquare and Gowalla come to mind

It's still insane ... I really can't imagine who would be comfortable with this.