All Latitude components, which include mobile apps, website, API, and badges, will be shut off in August. The service will be replaced by Google+ location-sharing and check-in features.
Google+ Locations launched earlier this year, providing similar functionality to Latitude allowing your circles (you may also choose it to be shown publicly, to certain individuals, or just you) to see where you are currently. Also, any places you check-in to will be shared with them. Today's news should come to no surprise, as Google pushes its social network into more of its products.
After August 9th, Google will delete your friends on Latitude, stop sending privacy reminders, and remove the check-in option from the mobile apps. Google will continue to support its Location Reporting and History tools but will aim to push users to Google+ Locations over time. Android users already have access to Google+ Locations, with the feature landing in iOS soon.
Google Latitude was originally called Dodgeball, until Google acquired the service 2005. Rebranded in 2008, Latitude was Google's competitor to Foursquare, allowing users to track their friend's movements and check-in to locations.
What are your thoughts on the move from Latitude to Google+ Locations? Let us know in the comments below!