LBS

Enter Google; Exit Microsoft, Stage Left

Kevin Dennehy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:00:49 +0300

Google Maps Navigation will change the way the location-based services industry does business. How it will change the industry remains to be seen, but a major player offering the same services for free that companies are now enjoying much profit from, is very disconcerting. In other company news, MSN Direct’s use of unused FM radio spectrum was a great idea in 2004. It effectively used unused portions of the FM radio spectrum to deliver such location-based services as real-time traffic, weather and other content. It was a victim of low-cost and evolving technology for LBS delivery. Having Microsoft involved in LBS was a big shot in the arm for the industry. However, it remains to be seen what the company’s plans are to continue in the LBS space in the near future.

New iPhone App for Managing UPS Shipments

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:12:04 +0300

In a major expansion for customers who use Apple products, UPS announced a new application for iPhone and iPod touch users that not only ships and tracks packages but also uses built-in GPS features to find the nearest UPS location.

Geolife and PosiMotion Develop Turn-by-Turn Nav iPod Application

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:34:43 +0300

GeoLife Ltd. and PosiMotion LLC today announced that they have submitted an application to the Apple App Store that enables personal turn-by-turn navigation on both the iPod touch and the iPhone. When the application is approved it will be the first navigation solution available for the iPod touch.

CTIA Wireless IT: Few Industry Announcements, More Focus on Emerging Profits

Kevin Dennehy — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:33:26 +0300

While this year’s CTIA Wireless IT had few major announcements, it allowed industry members to network to really find out who is making money in LBS — and why. While some believe that services will eventually be free, others say that the market would have to be enormous for that to happen. Others say companies shouldn’t just place their product in Apple’s iPhone applications store and crow about it because of the competition from thousands of apps being developed for it.

2010 Navteq Global LBS Challenge Seeks Entrants

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:23:37 +0300

Registration is now open for the 2010 Navteq Global LBS Challenge. For this installement of the popular application competition, two new regions have been added: India and South America join EMEA, North America, and APAC.

Anritsu Selects IFEN GNSS RF Constellation Simulator for A-GPS Test System

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 19:32:19 +0300

Anritsu Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer of test and measurement solutions, has selected the NavX-NCS Standard, a multi-constellation GNSS RF navigation constellation simulator from IFEN GmbH (Poing, Germany), for its A-GPS test system for developing mobile terminals.

Zoombak Upgrades Historical Tracking Features for Its Devices

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 03:40:10 +0300

Personal tracking device maker Zoombak is providing significant upgrades to the tracking history features of all Zoombak devices, at no additional charge to users, as well as increased browser support.

Guardtrax Introduces GT2 Security Device with 'Cash for Clunkers' Program

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 01:29:47 +0300

Tracking device maker Intergis (Cranford, New Jersey) is introducing the GT2 Security Force Locator, which provides real-time indoor and outdoor performance monitoring of security personnel. The system will be introduced at the 55th Annual American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) Seminar and Exhibits in Anaheim, California, on September 21-24.

Nokia Bullish on LBS Web Applications

Kevin Dennehy — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:18:30 +0300

LBS activity seems to be growing in Europe. Nokia, along with its Navteq subsidiary, is leaning forward to introduce location-based social networking applications on Facebook. In another event, such companies as Navigon and Garmin are rolling out new connected personal navigation devices (PNDs) in Europe — even though many in the industry think that technology isn’t a moneymaker in North America.

Navteq Increases Traffic Offerings for European Countries

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:36:24 +0300

Digital map provider Navteq has launched Navteq Traffic in Europe. Navteq Traffic delivers a single source solution enabling drivers uninterrupted traffic information when crossing borders in 11 countries including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. Navteq Traffic will also be available in Luxembourg and The Netherlands by the end of 2009.