Geo-location from Firefox

Mozilla, the developer of the Firefox web browser, has released geo-location technology that allows Firefox to detect the physical location of the computer it is running on.

Called Geode, the program allows a website to request access to the users location by mapping out the wireless Internet signals in that specific area and showing the browser where that computer is located – accurate to within 10 to 20 metres.

Users can give out as much information as they want; from a specific area, to city, or country, and uses technology from GPS firm Skyhook, which does not store or use any personal identifying information, ensuring user privacy.

For example, this could become useful for people arriving in a new country and don’t know where they are, or where they could eat, so helps them get their bearings and finds what restaurants are within their vicinity. Geode automatically deduces their location, and displays some suggestions close by and plots the directions there.

However, Mozilla sees more potential for Geode than just restaurant lookups, and has invited Firefox users to post their ideas for the program on its Concept Series blog.

The project is an experimental add-on from Mozilla's full-blown geo-location program, which will be available on Firefox version 3.1.