Google Latitude info hints at Android system update "soon"

UPDATE: I discovered today that T-Mobile had already started rolling out the new G1 firmware - without any announcement that is - but people had already noticed it arriving on their phones and posting on the T-Mobile forum. T-Mobile moderators then confirmed the push and gave some details, which include the Latitude feature in Google Maps. Hopefully I'll get my update sooner rather than later - last time I think it took about two to three weeks!

After following a TechCrunch link to the new Google Latitude "track your friends" feature (that seems to be the kind of bad news Loopt isn't going to want just now) I tried to send my phone an SMS to get this on my Android powered T-Mobile G1 . Unfortunately, and somewhat expectedly, it just took me to a mobile web page on the Android browser that said "Coming soon". Obviously something like this is an ideal app for the Android platform and G1 with its integral GPS - having on the G1 is a no-brainer.

Going back to Google I then followed a "Find out more" link that took me to a Google help page which in no uncertain terms states:

Google Latitude is available on the following mobile devices wherever Google Maps for mobile v3.0 and above is supported:

- Android-powered devices with Maps v3.0 and above. G1 users in the US will be receiving Maps v3.0 in a system update soon.
- Most color BlackBerry devices
- Most Windows Mobile 5.0 and above devices. Note: Some Windows Mobile devices don't support cell-ID location detection.
- Most Symbian S60 devices

Now I know there was a huge rumor storm and fuss about "Cupcake", the supposed new Android release that would be made available to G1 users in January - but never arrived and then was dismissed by Google and T-Mobile as "not happening". However this seems like the first official word that really there will be system update soon... I guess there might be the option to update just the Maps app, but it definitely says "System Update" and not Maps update.

However if prior experience is anything to go on I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for it...