Gone loopy with Loopt

Verizon Wireless is offering location services from social mapping provider Loopt on over 20 of its phones.

The service was first offered to Sprint users last month, reports Information Week. Verizon hopes to net younger users by providing Loopt mapping for an additional $3.99 a month.

Loopt users can set up private networks of mutual friends, which can be located on a map from their mobile phones.

MVNO Helio offers similar location-based services, which were heavily promoted to club and bar-hoppers.