Google has just released yesterday a real-time location tool, Google Latitude, which opens up a new world of location-based services (LBS) for both PC and mobile phone users. Basically, Latitude enables you to track friends, family, employees and so on, and vice-versa, in real time, but it’s really a dilemma whether this is a good thing or not.

Any mobile device that supports Google Maps for Mobile v3.0 and above is probably good to use Latitude, and these devices include Android-powered devices, most color BlackBerry mobiles, most Windows Mobile 5.0 and most Symbian S60 devices. Furthermore, in the near future, Latitude will be used on iPhones and iPod Touch with the Google Mobile App in the US and on many Sony Ericsson devices.

A Linux, a Mac or a Windows PC can also use the Latitude iGoogle gadget and iGoogle in order to access Latitude. The service uses Wi-Fi access points, cell towers or GPS to work your location, so a Global Positioning System is not really a must. Google is using technology from Skyhook Wireless and Latitude is a software-only location solution that allows any mobile device with Wi-Fi, GPS or a cellular radio to determine its position with an accuracy of 10 to 20 meters.

When Latitude turns on, it automatically tries to reach any available GPS satellite, cell tower or Wi-Fi access point, and once it establishes three or more links, it starts working out your location, with the triangulation technique. It’s very interesting to see how this will turn out to be, because anyone can say the Google service is violating their intimacy.