Palringo adds location function for iPhone users

Mobile IM provider, Palringo, has announced the addition of location, distance and maps functionality for iPhone users.

The new application allows iPhone users to simply look at their contact list to see the town where their contacts are currently located, and how far away it is.

Palringo plans to extend the application further with the introduction of a maps function shortly, which will bring up a map showing the location of a contact with just one click.

It will also display the location of other Palringo contacts within a 10km radius, and allow the user to display their own location.

With security in mind, the Palringo user can choose which, if any, of their contacts they wish to reveal their location to.

“Just knowing where someone is can be really useful, and knowing how far away they are is even better. The prospect of knowing where someone is before you start adds a whole new dimension to your conversation,” said Kerry Ritz, Palringo’s CEO.

“It can eliminate worry and will probably mean the end of a lot of unnecessary ‘Where are you?’ calls”.

Palringo announced that it was adding the location feature to its services back in October, and seems to have wasted little time in following up on this promise.

In a separate piece of news, Palringo has been shortlisted for Best Mobile Internet Service at the GSMA awards.

Other contenders for the award include Nokia and Bharti Airtel.