Loopt [Free - iTunes link], which matches social networks with location-based services into one smoldering hot Web 2.0 sammich, has struck a deal with AT&T that will let them update their iPhone users’ location information even when the Loopt app proper isn’t running.

Yes, you read that correctly — the Loopt iPhone app isn’t being granted any extra special background multi-tasking sanction by Apple for the iPhone, this is strictly a server-to-server, Loopt-to-AT&T deal, and it will come at a price. BusinessInsider scores the scoop:

Loopt will first offer the new always-on service in a trial for 5,000 users. You can sign up at Loopt’s site using your iPhone’s MobileSafari browser. After the 14-day trial, the always-on feature will cost $3.99 per month, added to your AT&T bill.

BusinessInsider also renews that old rumor about how Apple is seriously considering limited multi-tasking in a future software update. And, yes, they’ll have to have something interesting to tempt users with in iPhone 4.0/4G next summer, so why not run with that? We’d like it!

But back to Loopt, anyone dying to give AT&T an extra $4 a month for precise stalking tracking of their friends and family?

[Via Daring Fireball]

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Loopt and AT&T Work Out $3.99/month “Always On” Location Updates Deal for iPhone

South by Southwest (SXSW) 2009 is trendy, twitter-filling, and the source of increasingly social iPhone news releases. What’s going on this year?

FaceBook connect comes to the iPhone. Sure, they may just have redesigned their home pages to basically become Twitter with invitations to apps you don’t want and events on continents you can’t attend, but behind the scenes:

You can now use Facebook Connect on your iPhone in the same way you can for a website. Simply download any application featuring Facebook Connect and log in using your Facebook account from your iPhone. Then, you’ll be able to easily find your Facebook friends. They will be able to see the same profile information as they can on the site, controlled by your privacy settings. You can also share what you’re doing with your iPhone applications with all of your Facebook friends by publishing stories back to your profile.

Pelago has launched Whrrl 2.0:

an application for the iPhone that enables people to capture and share the moments of their lives, as they happen, as a story. Through location, photos and text updates, users can easily turn everyday life experiences into lasting stories that can be remembered, organized and shared. Each user controls exactly who can view their story, ranging from public to private, and includes the option to broadcast status updates on Facebook and Twitter.

SGN Launched Agency Wars, a game tied into — you guessed it! — social networking and Facebook connect!

Agency Wars is capitalizing on the classic spy genre and offeres massively multiplayer game play so you can become the most deadly spy around.

TUAW is also live and on location at SXSW 2009, and have posted up coverage of the iPhone Gaming Panel.

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

iPhone at South by Southwest (SXSW) 2009 Roundup

Although there are numerous apps that take advantage of the location-based feature the iPhone offers in order to serve up local eats, treats and other items, Goodrec is worth a hard look and download.

Even though it’s free, does Goodrec deliver the goods? Is it worth taking up some space on your iPhone, or is it something you’ll use a couple times and then banish to the electronic void of deleted apps? Read on for my take on Goodrec!

First Impressions

The interface is simple to use. You can use the “Search” screen or “Nearby” to find what you are looking for, from restaurants to movie theaters. Easily look up “Recents” that you have checked before, see which of your friends are online in Goodrec, and even check the history of recommendations you have made over time (more on this in a moment).

Goodrec takes up very little memory on your iPhone and offers a simple menu structure to quickly find what you are looking for. Not only can you find it, but the premise of Goodrec is to build in a community of your friends – people whose opinions and recommendations you trust – so you can make better choices because someone else has “been there, done that, ate that.”

How It Works

In order to find recommended movies, books, restaurants, etc., you need to use Goodrec’s menu. “Search” allows for selecting the category, location, and optionally, a name. If you are more visual, there is a scrolling bar of icons along the bottom of the screen with pictures representing the categories for easy swipe-and-tap.

Using “Nearby”, you can view establishments represented by a pin on a scrollable map. The scrolling map is an excellent feature which I really like. The map is dynamic, so if your desired destination is just off the edge of the map, just scroll and other businesses will appear with their corresponding pins and names. Tapping on the name will whisk you off to the information screen, including address, phone number, and recommendation. Look up more details here and even pull up a map of the location and get directions. Interestingly, the map on the information is a Yahoo map. Tapping on “Directions” then takes you to the Google Maps app on your iPhone. I really wish the mapping was better integrated in this app so that you don’t have to leave the app, check the map, then open the app again to get back to where you were – somewhat of a hassle.

The “Recents” tab will, as you might expect, give you a list of your recent searches, including a way to filter categories, sources of Goodrecs, and location. The “Friends” tab keeps a list of your friends and allows you to “Invite” more friends to use the app. A very nice feature of Goodrec is the social element – you are able to connect with your friends for recommendations. The database you have access to is created by other Goodrec users, so fortunately you won’t usually be buried by an avalanche of recommendations when you are looking for something.

When you take our turn to recommend something, you will see it immediately appear on the map as soon as you recommend it. While you are there, you can mark the location as “My Location” for easier location reference. Once you give a recommendation, it’s stored in the Goodrec database for other people to hopefully benefit from your critique. While you are recommending something, take a picture and store it on your Goodrec so other people can see what you are talking about.

If you are a user of social sites like Facebook, Twitter, or friendfeed, you will be happy to know that you can publish your Goodrecs directly on your site for others to read. Goodrec takes advantage of the location-based capabilities of your iPhone and provides a social network of it’s own or integration into one of your favorite social networking sites so you can share your recommendations with your friends and others.

Final Thoughts

The recommendation system for Goodrec is simple and effective – thumbs up, down, or neutral, with just enough space to leave a helpful comment or two. The social networking aspect is an excellent way to get trusted recommendations and share your recommendations with your friends. Recommendations can be made quickly, privately, and shared on your social networking sites. After using Goodrec a few times, it should be an app that stays on your iPhone for a long time.

Pros

• Easy and useful interface for iPhone and web site access.
• Simple, effective rating system.
• Share recommendations with those you trust – your friends.
• Dynamic scrolling map and directions support.

Cons

• Somewhat clumsy mapping migration between app and Google Maps.
• Social network aspect is reliant on update by your could-be-burned out friends.

Rating:

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

App Review: Goodrec for iPhone

Last month, Dieter let us know that Facebook’s popular, but feature-thin App Store application would be getting an update to (hopefully!) bring it up to par with the older WebApp version accessible via MobileSafari browsing. The due date was September, and boy did they just manage to sneak it in under the wire! Check out the iTunes App Store for Facebook 2.0 (still free!).

So what’s in the Facebook 2.0 update?

• Notifications
• Full news feed
• News feed story comments
• People search
• Friend requests
• Photo tagging
• Photo captioning
• Photo posts to friends’ walls
• Full mini-feed combined with the wall
• Entire inbox, including sent and updates
• Inbox search
• Message attachments
• Speed and stability improvements

(Thanks to Gregory for sending this in!)

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Facebook 2.0 Hits iPhone App Store