And Loopt.

Which makes me wonder, how does everyone deal with the prospect of competition from Google?

I had an awesome idea for a startup, worked on it for a few months during graduate school...and then Google announced they were getting into the space. I just about crapped myself.

I seriously wouldn't worry about it too much. They either do or they don't it's a bit like the weather, it will influence you but since you can't control it you might as well simply adapt to it.

If it wouldn't be for that then you could never do anything at all for fear of some 'force of nature' coming along and destroying it.

And who knows, maybe you'll be better at it than they ever will be simply because you are focusing on just one thing instead of on 50.

what makes you think Google Latitude wont meet the same barrier to reach critical mass for this application?

For example as it is, it would be useless for ages 13-25.

There are a lot more people with google accounts then the competition. People seem to also trust google more then a random startup.

you know what happened to Google Video right?

Google bought YouTube instead?

Google went to www.giveupandbuyyoutube.com.

A valid point. Most Google products never reach critical mass. But for a device like the iphone you are already using google maps. If its integrated directly into that, the barrier to entry is nothing.

Than. ;)

My bad. I can only assume thats the reason people have been down voting my comment.