Social networks have been the greatest phenomenon in the last two years.
Well known Facebook have recently celebrated its 5th birthday with more than 150 million users.
The success soon invaded  the mobile web and for example 15 million users entered their account on Facebook via a mobile device.
In addition, the most popular sites on mobile are social networks , they are even more popular than that on PC internet.
Like it or not the phenomenon has come to the mobile, big time.
Recent developments and the launch of Google Latitude will soon determine if the mobile device will become the “Facebook Phone” too.

As ReadWriteWeb mentioned location based social networks are already available on an increasing number of carriers, but all of the services have yet to hit the mainstream.
The lack of GPS-enabled devices and application awareness contributed to the situation.
Moreover, the mobile social network do not have a web presence, unlike Facebook that grew from the web to  mobile, Loopt and brightkite that have started their way on the mobile.

The evolution of social networks will definitely take place in the mobile world.
That is why  Google Latitude is a true innovation. the Geo Information comes as an additional information for an existed social network, in this case Google “Social Networks” (Google users).
The data will help you locate friends that are already a part of a relationship that is based on email contacts, close friends, etc.
While chatting with a colleague, the information can save him an SMS because he will know already where you are.
The mobile device is used as a tool to enhance the connections and communication ways, connections that are taking place on the web.

Another advantage is that Google can bring  Latitude to the masses by itself or with the help of developers.
The service will automatically be installed on all HTC G1 devices, and will hit all Android based devices from day one.

The launch of Google Latitude was just the opening shot, more and more mobile devices equipped with GPS receivers are soon to come,  and giants like Nokia are already working (and working) on its “Latitude”.
Then the main fight will start, will it be the major web social networks like Facebook that will take control over our mobile devices or will it be Nokia or Google.
Nokia’s intentions for it’s social network is still unclear , but it cannot ignore the momentum of web social networks like facebook, My space etc .
One way or another it seems the “Facebook phone” will be available sooner than we thought.