Vodacom’s The Grid, South Africa’s first location-based mobile social network, today launched iPhone and Android applications, allowing these users to see their friends on local street maps, chat to them via instant messaging and upload or view geo-tagged content.

This new Grid iPhone application combines the iPhone’s GPS functionality and
Vodacom’s location-based (LBS) technology to display a user’s approximate
position on a map. Maps on the Grid are populated by user-generated content (text, images and videos) that are geo-tagged to a specific location. In addition users are notified when their friends log onto the Grid and are shown their position on a map to make it easy and simple to meet up.

The Grid iPhone application is available for free download on the Apple iPhone App store.

Android application

In addition, a Grid application for Android, a mobile software platform initially developed by Google using the Linux operating system, has also been made available. Aside from having access to Grid functionality such as instant messaging; map browsing; and media sharing, the Android application allows users to share photos and videos straight from their cellphone’s camera.

The Grid Android application is available for free download on OpenMarket,
Android’s online application store as well as on The Grid
website.

Integration with other social networks

The latest Grid application releases, follow Grid integration with other social networks Twitter and Facebook. Grid users can now automatically update their Twitter and Facebook statuses from the Grid’s mobile application or website, with the added benefit of their location being tagged e.g. “Mark is in the mood for a coffee (near Bryanston)”.

Says Shameel Joosub, Managing Director, Vodacom South Africa: “The opportunities offered by location-based technology is starting to have a lasting impact on people’s lives. We’re making it easy to make use of the Grid on new handsets and also by integrating existing social networks, adding a whole new dimension to the way people communicate.”

For further information visit www.thegrid.co.za.