Google Launches Gears Location-Based API

Brian Heater - PC Magazine

Google on Friday announced the release of Gears Geolocation API, a platform designed to provide Web sites with location-based information without the aid of GPS.

The new API has already been used by two third-party developers to create apps for Windows Mobile. European travel site lastminute used the platform to develop an app for locating nearby restaurants, while social discovery engine Rummble created an app that lets users find nearby locations recommended by friends.

Geolocation API can use GPS, cell-tower triangulation, or your computer's IP address to find your location. It's currently available for Internet Explorer, Firefox, and IE Mobile.

Google had this to say about the API's privacy:

"Google takes your privacy very seriously," Google said. "Although Gears and the Geolocation API do not record your location, you should only allow web sites that you trust to access your location. Gears will always tell you when a site wants to access your location for the first time and you can either allow or deny that site permission. Always check the privacy policy of the web site if you are in doubt as to how they may use your location information."
Originally published on AppScout.

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