Web code hints Find My Friends on its way to Apple iCloud
updated 11:05 pm EDT, Sat September 3, 2011
Find My Friends HTML pops up
The possibility of Apple's Find My Friends feature grew stronger Saturday after web code was distributed by an anonymous source. While exploring a support system for the outgoing MobileMe, the AppleInsider contact found a block of code for tasks such as viewing the followed or following lists, statuses, and bans. Also mentioned are photo and video streams that might tie the support system or Find My Friends into iCloud's Photo Stream feature.
What little has been learned about Find My Friends, should it become real, is that it will have a parallel to location-based social networking services like Google Latitude. These not only provide a status update system and check-in deals, somewhat similar to Foursquare, but also a map of the most recent positions an optional, permission-based live tracking. Apple isn't expected to offer as much real-time detail given its greater emphasis on privacy but may tie it into iOS.
No mention was made of Find My Friends when iCloud was unveiled at WWDC in June. As such, it might not reach iCloud at all or might miss the initial release of the service and iOS 5. Most of Apple's emphasis so far has been on media syncing and sharing.
