Mobile phone software makers would enrich Web logs by tapping into geotracking features in handsets.
But wireless carriers are slow to adopt these location-based mobile social networks.

One of the first such products, from WaveMarket allows users to upload their location, along with photos and text messages, onto interactive street maps viewable by millions of other mobile phone users.

But so far, only one carrier, Canada’s BellMobility, has launched such service using WaveMarket’s gear: MapMe, introduced in May, provides maps and directions with icons containing contact information for local points of interest.

South Korea’s SK Telecom plans to use WaveMarkets’ WaveAlert product to send SMS to subscribers when they’re near a friend or a place of interest.

The slow uptake by carriers might be due to the cost to consumers. Bell Mobility’s MapMe costs $5 for a one-time software download, then 25 cents each time someone requests MapMe for a location, or other features. There can be up to $6 in additional charges per session for the data that’s been downloaded. Bell Mobility is trying to ease the pain by selling bundles of such airtime for $5 a month.

From News Com.