Yandex, the leading Russian search engine, will partner with the AlterGeo hybrid positioning startup to add location-based features to the Yandex maps and toolbar web applications.

Last week's Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona produced insights into likely major developments in major areas of mobile location-based services (LBS). Where is the industry headed in location-based advertising, social networking and technology, and who will make the greatest gains? Christopher Backeberg sums up...

Foursquare, Brightkite and a smaller social network, TriOut, have published their reactions to PleaseRobMe.com, a tongue-in-cheek website with a jagged edge.

Mobile phones have overtaken desktop computers for connecting to social networks, according to research by the Ruder Finn public relations agency.

Hot on the heels of an agreement with GyPSii, Telmap has announced a partnership with 4th Screen Advertising, strengthening Telmap's plans to offer location-based advertising.

Within three days of its launch last week, Google Buzz had generated 9 million posts and comments, proving its instant popularity as a location-aware social network updater and integrator for use with Google Mail.

CloseBys.com will announce its "create your own location-based network" feature at Macworld, San Francisco, on February 11.

The Loopt location-based mobile social network is donating $1 to relief efforts in Haiti for every user who checks in at a Chipotle, Whole Foods or Panera Bread outlet before midnight on Sunday, February 7.

Metro, the top free daily in Canada and the largest international newspaper in the world, will be the news media partner in Foursquare's first venture into location-based editorial content.

Loopt has announced a major update designed to connect users to the most relevant places and people nearby for its free application on certain key mobile devices.