This MobileIn tutorial briefly outlines the types of services that might be expected once mobile location infrastructure is deployed:
The palowireless LBS Resource Center is a great place to start if you want to learn more about mobile location technologies. They have good introductory information on the various location technologies, market research reports, event information, job listings, development tools, discussion forums and more.
From Silicon.com.
Orange has unveiled a new cell triangulation service for their GSM network to locate devices with what they claim is greater accuracy than GPS. While Cell ID wouldn’t be more accurate than GPS in an open field, I think what they’re driving at is that GPS doesn’t work well in built-up areas or indoors, where the handset can’t see the GPS satellites. Their Cell ID system can get a location as long as the device has GSM service. Cell ID is also cheaper and easier to deploy.
Orange is claiming a 550m accuracy for their Cell ID service, which is good enough for many applications.
The SMARTLocator.TAXI application from E-Taxis.com has been released in Beta form for testing. It uses GPS (free, if available) or ‘mobile triangulation’ (20 pence per request) to find the telephone number of the nearest taxi service to your current location. You can then call them and request a pick-up. It works anywhere in the UK, and runs on any Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 SmartPhone.
If you live in the UK, have an MS SmartPhone, and have tried out this application, please post your thoughts below in the comments. Did it work properly? How long does it take to give you the phone number? Would you pay for such an app?
From Netimperative.
Mapminder.co.uk has revamped the web site for its paid-for service in order to better compete with free rivals such as Multimap and Streetmap. Their services include weekly entertainment information, eating and drinking guides, a route finder, venue bookmarking, and (opt-in) mobile tracking of friends and family.
Are you a Mapminder user? How does it compare to Multimap and/or Streetmap? What do you think of the new and improved services? Please post your comments below!
From The Business Journal (Kansas City).
Kansas has a system in place whereby $0.25 is charged to every wireless service account per month, and the money raised is distributed to smaller counties to help pay for the equipment, licensing, training, etc required to provide enhanced 911 services. Grants are reviewed and awarded by the Kansas Wireless Enhanced 911 Advisory Board.
Queen Elizabeth II handed the Commonwealth Games baton to Aussie supermodel Elle MacPherson in a ceremony held at Buckingham Palace on March 15. The baton contains a GPS unit and two cameras, allowing anybody who’s interested to track its progress on the official Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games Baton Relay web site.
Not particularly riveting viewing, but I guess it’ll get more traffic as the Games get closer and grow in the media spotlight.
From America’s Network.
This is the first offering from a new partnership between Nextel and MapQuest. Services available include a “find me” service to allow a user to pinpoint their location on a map on their phone, services to locate nearby restaurants, hotels, airports, hospitals, etc, as well as maps and navigation directions.
There is also a web-based component to the service, which allows users to share their location anywhere on Nextel’s nationwide network with friends and family. The web site can also be used to track their location history, for example to document a road trip.
From America’s Network.
The FCC appears to be standing firm on their Dec 31, 2005 deadline for wireless carriers to implement E911 solutions.
Sprint, Nextel Communications and Verizon Wireless are pursuing handset-based solutions, while Cingular Wireless and T-Mobile USA are pursuing network-based solutions.
According to NENA:
There are still issues with getting Tier 3 carriers (mostly rural) to meet the deadline. The biggest obstacle appears to be cost. Several groups of Tier 3 carriers have banded together into the “Tier III Coalition” to lobby for exemption from the FCC requirements.