Brightkite is a location-based social network. In real time you can see where your friends are and what they’re up to.

An invite only service allows you to connect to your friends and always stay in touch with where they are. Similar to services like twitter, it allows you to post updates using the website, your mobile device via m.brightkite.com and your iphone via the webapp available at i.brightkite.com.

Other features include ability to see the map and where your friends are in relation to you, see people near you by specifying distance, create placemarks for easy updates in the future and much more.

I am sure, as many other Brightkite users, we eagerly await native iPhone app (currently in private beta) but available “soon”. 

Recent addition of “Guess My Location” feature now allows users to set location without having to search for it manually. This is achieved by using Loki and Geode service, analyzing WiFi networks in your proximity and triangulating your location (iPhone 1st Gen map feature). In addition, you are able to update your status on Twitter, announcing your current location or when you post a photo.Â

If you would like to try out Brightkite, leave a comment below and we’ll send you an invite (10 remaining). It is a great service, well designed for many platforms. We are sure that with the native iPhone app released, Brightkite will gain centre stage in the world of location based services. For now, if you are looking for a location based site to update your friends of your location Brightkite is the place to go. If you own an iPhone, Twinkle (location based twitter) might be your better option.

Platform: WebApp (Mac/Windows/Linux.. – ALL)
Cost: Free (Invite Only)
Developer: No Sleep Media LLC
http://brightkite.com/
[xrr rating=3.5/5]Â