Google! has the right kind of technology strategists, I believe and I’m sure everyone does it and I think they have proved it time to time by innovation, by re-inventing the wheel and only Google knows what not!. They took over the internet with storm, utilizing every bit of space on the web page by their innovative advertisement platform (even utilizing others web page space!) Now the Google has turned to Mobile. Till the internet came, we all thought it was the biggest platform connecting us, but Google knows that not everybody can carry a laptop/desktop every time but they can carry a Mobile. Google started with launching Google Android, an Open Source platform for mobile devices which organizations like T-Mobile and Motorola accepted it quite happily. But now what Google got ? Google got social networking to the real mobile, and Yes real mobile. Google got Latitude.

• Google with its new service allows users to keep track of their friends using Google Maps.
• SMS, IM or give a phone call to them.
• Give you a complete privacy control.

Now that’s something really and closely integrated set of services. I mean they are utilizing every bit their services.

• Google Maps service – The Core for the platform,
• Google SMS Channels (launched specifically for India, I believe they are!) or GMail SMS launched for U.S.
• Google Talk for calling your friends
• iGoogle Gadget (which is used when you are on your laptop/desktop)
• Orkut – Now that’s my intuition! I believe Orkut is soon going to be part of this service set: Google Friends Map, may be who knows!

Mobile, with its wide user base is sure to be the next monetization platform. How about this, You are walking towards a mall, and you get a message – “Your friend Rohit is just 5 Kms away from you, moving towards Delhi Cantt” (Of course with an ad below it). Now that could really be interesting.

Hope to see something more innovative and monetizing coming out of the Google Labs! Let’s see what’s the next step the giant takes.