Boost Mobile is teaming with loopt for a new location-based service (LBS) that enables customers to share from their Boost Mobile phones their locations, status messages, photos and other on-the-go experiences with friends. The social mapping service officially debuts on Nov. 20.
The Boost loopt service automatically updates the location of all contacts in a private network of Boost customers. The location of networked members is then displayed directly on a map on the phone. Boost loopt also is designed to send an alert when a friend in the network is near, which will help friends avoid missing each other at the mall, around town or at the movies, according to Boost Mobile.
Boost loopt also features geo-tagging capabilities, a journaling feature that enables mobile users to "geo tag" locations and capture their experience with friends in their private network.
In an effort to get customers hooked, Boost is offer the Boost loopt service free of charge to customers with Java-enabled handsets. Beginning next year, customers will pay $2.99 per month on a pay-as-you-go basis. All new customers can try the service for 30 days at no charge.