Garmin to use uLocate's friend-finding technology

Boston-based uLocate Communications, which develops location-enabled applications, has agreed with Garmin Ltd. to add friend-finding capabilities to a number of new and older Garmin GPS devices.

The deal brings uLocate’s Where platform to Garmin users, enabling subscribers to easily find and connect with friends through a network known as Buddy Beacon.

Garmin customers will be able to connect with friends, share their location, and update their status on a variety of social-networking sites, including Facebook.

Unlike other friend-finding applications, Buddy Beacon operates across multiple networks, making it possible to connect with friends who use different phones and carriers.

The Where platform is available on most major phone carriers and is used on mobile devices from Nokia and BlackBerry, as well as on Apple’s iPhone.
(By Angel Jennings, Globe correspondent)