Google has finally launched it's location sharing service Latitude for the iPhone, this great service allows you to share your location securely with your friends and collegues.

On your iPhone open Safari (the web broswer) and visit Google Latitude you will need to have a Google account so sign in and you will be presented with a contacts list, add your close friends email addresses and send them an invite.

Every time you open the Latitude web page it will automaticly check your location and update your friends with where you are. Clicking the map option will show your current position on a map just like in the first screen shot above.

Privacy is always going to be a concern that's why Google has included controls, if you want to turn Latitude off for a short time or turn off the auto location update when you load the app each time.

It is worth adding Latitude to your home screen by using the + symbol and the Add to Home Screen option, this will create a nice icon on your iPhone instead of having to load the webpage each time click the Latitude Icon and it will load up and update your location.

Everyone will find this very helpful when trying to meet up with other folk in strange towns or for road warriors who want to let a family member know they arrived safely without a phone call or email. I can see in time this being of great use to social workers and community based volunteers to let the office know where they are.