Real World Computing

Once the system was discovered, the backlash against Google was swift and very vociferous, and even made it as far as The New York Times. Google responded by saying sorry for the privacy policy cock-up, and reassuring GMM users that their personal data (including phone number) hasn't been logged - Google says it's simply kept aggregated cell tower and location data. A lot of people are still making a fuss, although I noticed that some of them happen to work for rival geo-location companies and so might have axes to grind.

What I do find confusing about this whole affair, however, is that I've had off-the-record confirmation from people representing two of the main UK phone networks that they'd already provided cell tower location data to Google. If that's true then Google wouldn't need this user-built database, at least for the two UK networks concerned. Perhaps it's using a combination of data sources for the My Location service, but whatever's the case it will all become a bit academic at some point when the full version of AGPS (assisted GPS) finally goes live. Right now, there's only a partial system running, but once the networks enable the full system-cell towers will actually start broadcasting their locations - or at least, that's my understanding based on conversations I've had with techie people from the UK networks.

I've got the tower

Incidentally, unless you're running a Symbian phone, it isn't always easy to find the ID of the network cell tower you're currently logged onto, so here's a little tip - install an excellent little Facebook application called FindMe, which will dump some client software onto your phone (there's currently only support for BlackBerry and Windows Mobile). Once it's installed on your phone, simply go to the "Status" page from the menu and it will tell you your current cell tower ID. For example, it tells me I'm currently using 18261-283-234. I know that 234 is the mobile network code for T-Mobile UK, and as far as I can tell 283 is an area code and 18261 is the cell ID (and there can be several cells on one tower).

If you're not a Facebook user, you can still just use the application to reveal your tower ID, but if you're a Facebook user you'll find that FindMe is neat so long as you're sensible about giving access only to people you trust. You can tag several different locations (home, work, walking dog in park, and so on), and when you get to any of these places the mobile client spots the associated tower ID and updates your Facebook profile to let people know where you are: it can even update your status. There's an option to disappear, too, should you need to...

Many people will find this quite horrific, but within a close circle of family and friends it can be rather useful. Just one important tip - for security/privacy reasons, you really must update the application settings so your location is visible only to friends (probably even just a few particular friends). Don't make it available to everyone in your network, which is the default Facebook application setting, as after all local burglars may be in the same network as you, and they'd love to know where you live and when you're not there!

Location Based Services (LBS) are hot right now, with lots of venture capital being thrown at start-up companies producing geographically aware software and local data services. I expect these to boom over the next 18 months or so, although I suspect that, as usual, 98% will be dross and 2% really useful. Do drop me a line if you come across anything interesting.

Continued....