Brightkite Update

ReadWriteWeb details what’s new in the BrightKite update. Brightkite is a tool to add location to iPhones, Blackberrys and Android phones. I run into it most as a tool to add location information to twitter posts. The update is timed well as Twitter begins to roll out its own geoAPI. Among the new features is one that does NOT attach location information to posts.

Non Geo-Tagged Posts
With the new “Somewhere in the world” option, users are now free to post notes and photos that are not associated with a geographical location by clicking the X button in the “Pick a Place” section of the post form. Non geo-tagged posts will show the location as “somewhere in the world.”

I think it’s interesting that the app just got around to a “don’t geotag” option. That’s a good heads up for startups in this space!

There’s a Map for That: Verizon Takes on AT&T

One of the big complaints of iPhone users is the variance in AT&T 3G coverage across the US. Some areas are fine, some uncovered and some, like San Francisco are notoriously poor. So, Verizon, which may itself host the iPhone, once’s AT&T’s exclusive deal runs out, is making waves. It riffs on Apple’s “there’s an app for that” in a campaign launched Monday. It includes the slogan, “There’s a map for that” to highlight its more complete coverage map. Clever? Perhaps. Petty? Some think so. Will it matter? It’s unclear if it will help or hurt Verizon’s chances of getting an iPhone deal here in the U.S!

- Digital Daily (All Things D) - includes video of the ad

Part of Challenger Map to be Used for Olympic Games Security

One of the world’s largest relief maps and an example of folk art, British Columbia’s Challenger Map has been in storage since 1977, when its home at the Pacific National Exhibition was torn down. But the parts were stored and at least of bit of it will see the light of day in the headquarters of the RCMP-led Integrated Security Unit (ISU) for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The now spruced up section will be used to familiarize visitors and security officers from all parts of Canada with the intricate, geographical contours of the Olympic security zone.

I really enjoy the parallel stories of this map and the Gettsyburg “electric map.” (latest story on that map) So many people have such fond memories of both large, utilitarian maps.

- The Globe and Mail