Every once and a while we see a lot of buzz around an iPhone application, and the latest has been the anticipated release of the Brightkite application.  Brightkite is a popular “location based” social networking service that has gained quite a following.  They have had a web-based application running for some time, but as with most web-based applications, people have been wanting a native app badly.  Well today it was delivered!

They have been giving sneak peeks for a while, along with a limited beta test, and I respected the fact they took their time to get the app “right” before releasing it to the public.  The app keeps the basic look of the web-based application that many are familiar with.  However, the functionality has been greatly extended and plenty of options added.  One of the features I know many have been waiting for was the ability to take and upload photos directly from the phone, instead of having to e-mail them as a note. 

Having the app detect my location has been fairly accurate, but I haven’t tested on a 3G iPhone as of yet.  You can also “pick a place” from a list of places near your given location.  This seemed to be very accurate and listed many businesses in my general area.  Another awesome feature is the ability to see a detailed list of your Brightkite contacts, see their location on a map, and even send them notes. 

I have only been using the app for a day, but I have been very impressed so far.  The app is free and is available in the iTunes App Store now.  You will need a Brightkite account to use, and you can request an invite at www.brightkite.com.  I also have a few invites to give away, so leave a comment and I will get you hooked up.