Database Reference
In-Depth Information
gered only when something interesting is being done. This is done
on the basis of both time and location. For example, an alert could
be triggered when two friends are at a routine place, but an un-
usual time. Alternatively, it could be triggered when two friends
are at a routine time but unusual place.
Public Location Badge:
It is possible to post one's location
directly on blog or social network. This in turn increases the visi-
bility of one's information to other users of the site.
Use with Chat Applications:
The mobile location can also be
used in conjunction with the
Google Talk
application which allows
users to chat with one another. Users who are chatting with one
another can see each other's location with the use the embedded
latitude functionality.
It is clear that all of the above techniques change the nature and dy-
namics of social interactions between users. For example, the triggering
of alerts can itself lead to a changed pattern of interaction among the
different users. The ability to mine the dynamics of such interactions is
a useful and challenging task for a variety of applications.
While
Google Latitude
is perhaps the most well known application,
it is by no means the only one. A number of recent applications have
been designed which can track mobile devices on the internet through
GPS tracking. Some of these applications have been designed purely for
the purpose of tracking a device which might be lost, whereas others
involve more complex social interactions. Any software and hardware
combination which enables this has the potential to be used for social
sensing applications. Some examples of such applications are as follows:
Navizon Application:
This application [188] uses GPS in order
to allow social interactions between people with mobile phones. It
allows the tracking of mobile friends, coverage of particular areas,
and trails followed by a particular user.
iLocalis Application:
This application [189] is currently de-
signed only for particular mobile platforms such as the iPhone,
and it allows the tracking of family and friends. In addition, it is
also designed for corporate applications in which a group of mo-
bile employees may be tracked using the web. Once friendship links
have been set up, the application is capable of sending a message
to the friends of a particular user, when they are nearby.
8.1.2 CitySense Application.
The citysense application is
designed for the broad consumer base which carries mobile cell phones.
