Geolocation: Web apps that know where you are?

Our HTML5 tutorial this week focuses on an area of HTML5 that you may already be using: Geolocation. Chances are, if you use a smartphone, you’ve encountered geolocation-aware web pages.

In short, geolocation gives a web page/application the ability to find the user's location. While that might sound like an invasion of privacy, there’s no need to worry. A website can’t find your location without your permission.

How is geolocation useful? There are all sorts of ways, usually involving mobile browsers. For example, let’s say you’re on the road and need to find a gas station. Search for “gas stations” on your mobile browser and it will pull up a list of gas stations nearby. That’s geolocation in action!

Here's a business example. You could create an app for your salespeople on the road that pulls up customer addresses and automatically gives them directions based on their current location. That's how you use new technology to your advantage!

Our tutorial this week details how to add geolocation to your web sites/applications. You can find it in our forums.