Ordnance Survey, the UK government department responsible for mapping, has launched its first official mobile application for the Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

OS MapFinder is free and includes a basic overview of Great Britain; customers can then add the same level of detail as printed OS maps by buying 10km x 10km ‘tiles’ from 69p each.

Location-sharing service Glympse, which enables users to share their location for a limited time, has launched an in-car voice-activated option using the Ford SYNC AppLink. It means that drivers can send their real-time location to friends and colleagues using voice commands.

Customers simply connect their iOS or Android smartphone to the Ford Sync system via Bluetooth or USB lead.

Real-time mobile location sharing service Glympse has announced a new partnership with satellite navigation company Garmin that’ll see location-sharing capabilities added to the Garmin StreetPilot Onboard and Navigon mobile apps. Existing customers can update their iPhone or Android apps free via the Apple App Store and Google Play.

The update enables users to share their location with friends from within the app while they travel to their destination.

Mark Bridge writes:

It’s the week before Christmas, which can only mean one thing for the mobile industry: plenty of research news. Yes, when there isn’t anything new to talk about, a survey or forecast is the perfect way to fill the silence.

Mind you, things haven’t been entirely quiet when it comes to mobile products and services.

4.3 million home and business alarm systems will be connected to mobile phone networks in Europe by 2016, according to a new report from Berg Insight.

The research company predicts that the total number of tracking devices and wireless alarm systems monitored from a European alarm receiving centre will grow from 9.1 million last year to 39.7 million by the end of 2016.