Skyhook Wireless, provider of the Wi-Fi Positioning System and the hybrid location system XPS, has integrated with LifeAware, an ad-supported family-and-friend-finding LBS app for Google's Android.

LifeAware facilitates location-awareness between family members and friends by updating maps accessible on consumers' mobile handsets and the Web. Safety features let consumers receive automatic alerts when a family member enters or leaves a fully customizable geographical zone, or send their location to anyone, even individuals whom are not LifeAware members.

"LifeAware's primary goal for creating the application was to help families locate each other in times of need," said Gregory Moore, founder/CEO of LifeAware LLC, Kansas City, MO. "The Android API, when unable to get a GPS location, provided broad accuracies spanning several blocks that would make it difficult to find exactly where an individual is.

"This reduces the benefits of the application while indoors or when not running GPS to conserve battery," he said. "SkyHook fills the critical need of providing more accurate and timely locations in various situations -- indoors, outdoors, without running GPS, etcetera."

Founded in 2003, Skyhook Wireless has developed the first hybrid positioning system to fully leverage Wi-Fi, GPS and cell towers delivering location data.

Founded in 2008, LifeAware LLC is a startup with the vision of revolutionizing the way people use mobile phones in order to stay in touch with their family and friends.

LifeAware's monetization strategy hinges on ad support.

"To stay true to our current user base, we are providing a free version that will be ad supported," Mr. Moore said. "We will also be offering two additional versions with advanced features for an annual subscription fee."

LifeAware is currently integrating with mobile ad network AdMob to render its advertisements.

"There have been rumors of Google providing a way to integrate AdSense into mobile apps that we will consider if released," Mr. Moore said.

Skyhook's hybrid positioning system XPS requires no new hardware, works indoors and outdoors, provides an instant location.

Skyhook Wireless investors include RRE Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, Intel Capital and CommonAngels.

LifeAware was selected as one of the Top 50 applications in the Android Developer Challenge I.

It has been designed with enhanced privacy controls and safety features for consumers.

Location sharing can be turned on or off at any time on a friend-by-friend basis or for all friends at once.

Geo-tagging capabilities let users mark any location and let LifeAware guide them back to it later.

LifeAware can be downloaded today in the Android Marketplace, Google's app store. The T-Mobile G1 is the first smartphone in the U.S. that runs on the Android OS.

Skyhook Wireless offers a publicly available SDK for Android developers.

"Most of our marketing to date has been through press releases and word of mouth through reviews on Android Market," Mr. Moore said. "As things evolve and our user base increases, we are planning targeted campaigns to our various user groups.

"Along with our latest Android releases, we will be releasing a version for the iPhone that will be free with ad support," he said. "While not finalized, we believe the next platform we will target will be Blackberry."