Using nothing but OS X Lion’s built in ‘Automater’ you can create your very own desktop based ‘Web App’ for Google’s Latitude service (or any other URL for that matter)
The process is really simple, and only required 2 ‘Automater Methods’
- Launch Apple’s Automator application, from the applications folder
- Chose Application from the document type menu
- Add the ‘Get Specified URLs’ action from the actions list
- Add the address “https://www.google.co.uk/latitude/b/0/” (or any of your choosing) to the ‘Specified URLs’ action
- Add the ‘Website Popup’ action from the actions list
- Specify the screen size and user agent you prefer – you may be best adjusting these settings and running the Automator script a few times to see which works best.
Once you are happy with your settings, and URL specified then you can save this as an Application, now when you want to launch the new desktop web app all you have to do is double click on your new Automator Application!
Simple really!
Since the introduction of Google Latitude the Apple App Store has slowly been filling up with apps that perform ‘background’ updating to keep your location up to date. Some have had better reviews then others. Google have recently released their very own Latitude app which includes it’s very own variation of Background updating.
The application features a slick and feature full interfaces, with a quick an easy overview of all your friends current location in one easy to use screen. Not only that, but with easy access to the map for each of your contacts, and the ability to show directions from your current location the app really is the best on the market.
Latitude is available for free to download from the App Store.
