Google Latitude Now Allows Check Ins, iPhone App Update Coming

Google just announced on their Mobile Blog that Google Latitude now supports ‘check ins’. This new feature is debuting on Android now, but will soon be coming to iPhone users through an update to the Google Latitude app.

Not your typical check-ins
Because you can use Latitude to automatically detect your location, we’ve added a few twists to checking in to make it really easy:

Notifications: Turn on check-in notifications in Latitude’s settings and get a notification to check in at a nearby place once you arrive. Never forget to check in again.

Automatic check-ins: Choose to automatically check in at specific places you designate, and you’ll be checked in when you’re there. You can talk to friends or finish your bagel without fumbling with your phone.

Check out: Once you leave, Latitude knows to automatically check you out of places so friends aren’t left guessing if you’re still there.

..and the line important to iPhone users:

If you’re using the new Latitude app for iPhone, you’ll see your friends’ check-ins, and we’ll update the app soon so you can check in too.

With so many apps available for check ins (think Foursquare, Facebook, etc etc)…how many people will be using this? If you’re a hardcore Latitude user, you’ll definitely want to check this out!

Video demo on Android:

[Google Mobile Blog]