Facebook Unveils 'Places' Service
A new service launched by Facebook will allow users to check into places based on their location. People will be able to create 'Places' that reflect real life locations for other people to check into, and businesses can claim locations where they're based.
Facebook Product Manager for Places, Michael Sharon, commented, "You may want to share your check-in information with third-party applications that build interesting experiences around location, such as travel planning. Applications you use must receive your permission before getting this information. Your friends will be able to share your check-ins with the applications they use to help create new social experiences with location. If you don't want to share your check-ins with your friends' applications, just uncheck the new box in your Privacy Settings under 'Applications and Websites'."
Users of the social networking site will also be able to tag other people within a location, in the same way that status updates photos or photos are tagged.
Initially, the 'Places' location service will only available in the US and via a mobile browser or iPhone.