When Loopt first released their location-based IM client last November it was only available for Sprint and Boost Mobile phones. The concept is fantastically simple and elegant, combine the ability to talk with your friends on IM and see their locations. This can help you meet up with friends or see if they’re running late.
At WWDC this week, Loopt demoed their iPhone 3G application to extend their functionality to the largest group of mobile web users online today. Also included in the new iPhone 3G version are the ability to call, text or even send invitations to friends on the mobile web. We should continue to see location based services for the iPhone as a theme this year, and I’ve been lusting after Loopt for my phone ever since its announcement.
In conjunction with their iPhone announcement, Loopt is also teaming up with CBS Mobile for advertising. Loopt has created a location API for advertisers to be able to serve more relevant ads to uses. While CBS ads won’t be popping up on your Loopt client, they will be broadcasting your location to CBS Mobile. Their goal is to serve you location-based advertising whenever you visit a CBS site on the mobile web.
This is clearly groundbreaking work that makes Loopt an attractive partner for mobile web properties. As a consumer, I’m wondering if it would be creepy to have ads pop up based on where I am from a totally separate third party.
What do you think?
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I'm Dave and I like to share news about gadgets, gear, careers and design for a mobile world.
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[...] also set to see location-targeting proliferate on mobile web advertising, with Loopt building a location-aware advertising platform. Their location-based IM platform provides adds another layer of context to the instant messaging [...]
[...] also announced a location based ad targeting platform last month. This platform allows users to place targeted banner ads on mobile web sites based on a [...]