Only further impresses me about the creativity and drive to innovate. I have heard both sides firmly voice their opinion of this technology. I tend to take this as just another step towards the next big thing. If you are a virtual employee or contractor, this is a blessing. All I have to say to those who feel this technology is "evil" is that if you don't like what it offers why waste your time bashing it…bring your own ideas out – there is opportunity everywhere ( not aimed at those questioning to understand : ) – great app!!

I like the idea of the app, but it does seem a little "big brotherish". Is there a way someone can block their location?

Brady,

Thank you for clearing that up for me. In that case this is a very nice application. I had just heard from some uninformed sources that it was more of a tracking application.

Dave

wow what a app!

great, and it is only like a month since the iphone was released!

I bet they'll announce it on the Twitter feed as soon as they get the approval email from Apple… http://twitter.com/brightkite … if you're really impatient, you can have their stuff get SMS'd to your phone. ;)

We will announce it here on the blog and on Twitter. By subscribing to the blog you will be able to stay in the loop ;)

Serial Killers don't have iPhones…

The NDA was not lifted from unreleased software/features which would include the Push Notifications.

"Please note that unreleased software and features will remain under NDA until they are released."

How do we find out when it's been released. Is there a mail list we can subscribe to?

*coughblackberrycough*

Yeay,

release it!

I am hugely excited about this application and can see so much potential for it. Congratulations guys, I had very high hopes for this and you have actually exceeded my expectations.

I'm betting those are just SMS messages, Jason… the notification SDK doesn't pop up windows like that (when it was still in the SDK)..

Why? It doesn't update your location unless the app is actually active running and hit a button to tell it to update, and someone you don't know can't just "follow" you. You have to accept them as a friend.

Plus the NDA was lifted. ;)

I've had them approve an app I wrote in 4 hours… and one took 4 weeks. It's impossible to tell with them. :(

So Sarah, Tell me more about your comment. (reply lists get so hot and cranky … so I want to preface this with a "This is not a hot and cranky question") Why do you think the iPhone and the BK app make it easier for serial killers? Sure, you can see who's around you (if you don't know them) …but to track/stalk somebody you would still have to have them "accept" you as a friend? … and if you don't want your location to be known you just opt out of that. It looks like the best way to help the serial killer "get you" would be to have one as a friend, err.. and then they're gonna get you the next time they offer to help you clean up after that great houseparty. I'm just curious as to what part of the feature set makes you feel squeamish.

How did you implement the notifications? That feature, while announced, has not been implemented into the iPhone firmware, and I'm not positive it's been included in the official SDK. Even if it has, doesn't showing this feature in the video violate the NDA, which is still in effect for features that have not been released to the public yet?

I'm REALLY looking forward to the native app, but I hope those issues don't cause delays. My guess is that to get the app in the App Store now, you wouldn't be able to implement the notification feature. That might have to come in an update after it's been implemented in the SDK and iPhone firmware.

Me and my serial killer friends can't wait for this app!

Oh yeah. Using SMS for that feature makes much more sense. Thanks.

But while the NDA has been lifted for features that have already been released to the public, it is still in place for features in the SDK that have not been released, such as the notification feature, which was why I thought it might be a problem. Since it's likely SMS, though, it's a moot point.

I didn't care much for owning an iPhone. Until I saw this

Any chances of getting something similar on WM6 GPS enabled devices?

Notifications work via SMS and/or Email, your choice. When apple rolls out the push notifications we will roll out an update.

Looks better than expected, so I can almost forgive the long time it took you…! ;)

One more thing though: (too) many iPhone devs ignore the fact that many of their potential users live outside the USA and just neglect including any kind of localization…! Since Brightkite (unlike most competitors) works here in Europe as well please inlcude localization for a few major languages…!! It's all about the user experience…. :D

(If you need someone to assist you with a German translatio/localization feel free to contact me…!)

Hi Sarah & Spicedogs. We take your privacy very seriously. Brightkite has been designed from the ground up with comprehensive privacy controls. You control what strangers, friends and trusted friends can see. Additionally privacy control is one reason Brightkite works on a "check in" model rather than constantly tracking you. You disclose your location thru a check in when you want to. We have set guidelines for not checking in sensitive places and also recommend if the service makes you uncomfortable to not use it.

If only Apple didn't take forever to approve apps… :-(

I so agree with you, Sarah. That was my first reaction: This app, in the wrong hands, is dangerous.

is it just me… or is the iphone making a Serial Killers job so much easier.

Does soon == "we submitted it to Apple and are now waiting for them to approve and post it to the store" ? :)

Looks awesome guys… in the future: more information = less grouchy users. :)

Yay! (@Justin, from what Ars Technica has said, yes it does). Thanks for getting this done despite our complaining. Hopefully you've gotten it how you want it. It looks like it could be very good, the trick will be getting people to adopt it.

It definitely looks much faster and better than the craptastic Loopt app (that rarely seems to be able to figure out where I am, other than "Atlanta GA"). I just wanted to hear he BKite guys say "we're just waiting on Apple now!". ;)

Wowowowowowow !!!

Holy cow! Sign me up!!!