| NEWSBRIEFS – LBS |
| Nokia launches global Ad campaign
for GPS-enabled N82 handset |
“The Urbanista Diaries,” is the new global
campaign by Nokia to promote the recently
launched Nokia N82 that features a 5
megapixel camera and integrated GPS. The
campaign engages bloggers, journalists,
and everyday people to promote the phone. |
| EU to deepen investigations
on Nokia-Navteq |
The European Commission is set to
deeper its investigation into Nokia
pending $8.1 billion acquisition of
Navteq, according to Dow Jones
Newswires. www.gpsbusinessnews.com |
| Microsoft selects Tele Atlas for web,
mobile apps in North America |
Tele Atlas has signed an agreement with
Microsoft to power its mapping and
location platform services. Live Search
Maps, Virtual Earth and Microsoft Streets & Trips will rely on Tele Atlas digital
maps and content, including points of
interest for the USA and Canada. |
| Myloki: from FaceBook to email
signature, location everywhere |
Skyhook Wireless, has unveiled MyLoki,
a service that feeds location from Wi-
Fi enabled devices to personal blogs,
social networking sites (like facebook)
and location directories like Fire
Eagle. www.gpsbusinessnews.com |
| Navigon launches FreshMaps: three
years quarterly map updates |
German PND manufacturer Navigon
has announced a new service called
FreshMaps which intend to protect its
customers against map data obsolescence.
It will enable its customers to update
their maps every quarter during three
years. www.gpsbusinessnews.com |
| Wayfinder introduces free
mobile GPS application |
Wayfinder, is introducing its Wayfinder
Active™ application in the U.S. andCanada. It is a free GPS application
for mobile phones with a combination
of maps, GPS recording and statistics
designed for people who enjoy
running, hiking or other outdoor
activities. www.wayfinder.com |
| Motorola brings the power of
touch to mobile TV device |
Motorola has recently unveiled the
Mobile TV DH02 – a personalized TV,
multimedia entertainment on the go and
navigation device featuring a touch screen
user interface. It also has HSDPA/ GPRS
back channel support. www.pr-usa.net |
| RFID technology keeps track
of school bus riders |
Seattle-based Zonar Systems is providing
RFID technology to the school bus
industry to keep track on school children.
It patented ZPass system identifies
when and where a student enters or
exits the school bus to enhance their
safety and security. www.gpsdaily.com |
| Qualcomm introduces GPS
based Service Fleet Manager |
This service is location/country specific.
What country is it Service Fleet Manager
by Qualcomm is the first OmniVisionSM
Metro service designed to meet the needs
of local service-based businesses. It has
industry-specific capabilities and features
such as detailed maps and reports providing
a snapshot of an entire fleet for improved
logistical planning. www.cbronline.com |
| San Diego Harbor Police
deploy BIO-key automated
vehicle location system |
BIO-key International, Inc., which is in
finger-based biometric identification and
wireless public safety solutions, announced
the award of a contract from the San Diego
Harbor Police Department to deploy BIOkey's
automated vehicle location (AVL)
capability in its patrol vehicles. San
Diego Harbor PD, a BIO-key customer
since 2000, has primary public safety and
homeland security responsibility within the San Diego Unified Port District, which
includes cargo and cruise ship terminals and
the San Diego International Airport, as well
as law enforcement and marine firefighting
in San Diego Bay. www.lbszone.com |
| Qualcomm QST1000 Chipset With
ARM11 For Mobile Devices |
Qualcomm has developed QST1000
chipset, incorporating an integrated
ARM11 applications processor to power
PND’s, portable multimedia players and
entertainment devices. These chipset are
a single platform of solutions , which
includes wireless connectivity, multi-mode
GPS positioning; a high-performance
ARM11 applications processor
running at 528 MHz plus support for
broadcast mobile TV. www.arm.com |
| T-Mobile rolls out BlackBerry 8820 |
| T-Mobile has launched BlackBerry 8820,
integrated GPS. It also supports the
T-Mobile HotSpot @Home Mobile WiFi
service as well. http://blogs.zdnet.com |
| Market predictions |
| Global mobile navigation device shipments hit 39 million in 2007 |
The size of GPS navigation industry is increasing according to the latest figures from
industry analyst firm Canalys. Year-on-year growth in mobile GPS navigation device
shipments stood at 148% worldwide in Q4 2007, the highest seen since Q1 2006.
Furthermore, despite all the recent activity in the smart phone segment of the market,
which is the fastest growing according to Canalys, shipments of PNDs were up 150%
year-on-year in Q4 and represented a stable 90% of total device shipments. Canalys
estimates that around 6.7 million PNDs shipped in the US in Q4 2007, representing
of the total for the year. In Q4 2006 the figure was below 1.5 million, showing just how
much the market has grown and the extent to which the US, once tiny compared to the
European market for such devices, has become a major arena for the many competitors
in this industry. The APAC region is the next fastest growing after North America, with
Q4 2007 shipments of around 1.7 million mobile GPS navigation devices representing
a 137% rise on the equivalent figure in Q4 2006. The contrasts between this region
and the US couldn’t be more marked. India presents huge challenges and opportunities
in equal measure. While still a nascent market for mobile navigation solutions, in Q4
2007 it was the third largest smart phone market in APAC after Japan and China, with
quarterly shipments exceeding 1 million units for the first time. www.canalys.com |
| Aberdeen study reveals financial impact of GPS tracking in us |
A recent survey of service companies nationwide by the Aberdeen Group revealed that
nearly one-third of leading companies are using GPS-based location data to improve
customer service and monitor assets. Highlights of the survey data include service
companies reporting reduced overtime costs on average of 13.4%, which equates to
a reduction of $496,493 in recovered overtime with the deployment of GPS-based
location enabled technology. In addition, location data is in widespread use to improve
the scheduling and dispatching of technicians, vehicles and parts delivery in real-time,
so as to improve service delivery and overall customer experience. www.prweb.com |
| European cellular LBS players Facing Stiff Competition |
The European mobile phone market is on the verge of embracing LBS, but it is going
to face some stiff competition, at least as far as satellite-based navigation services are
concerned, says IMS Research. All the pieces of the LBS puzzle seem to be finally
falling into place in the European market, including a portfolio of GPS-enabled handsets,
mainstream services offered by major operators, and the European Commission
imposing cheap data roaming rates, according to the market research firm. But for most
consumers, LBS at the moment is generally synonymous with satellite navigation,
IMS notes. In Europe there are a little more than 260 million light vehicles, at the
latest count; the addressable market for satellite navigation is therefore limited to this.
Furthermore, Europe was one of the earliest markets to embrace satellite navigation.
By mid-2009 more than 60 million PNDs will have been sold on the continent, posing
a formidable market foe for cellular-based LBS, IMS said. http://lbs.gpsworld.com |
| lBS to reshape mobile VAS market |
Location-based services, such as the one letting parents monitor the whereabouts of their
children, will lead a new set of value-added services that will reshape India’s mobile
VAS market, now dominated by ringtone and music downloads. With the country’s
mobile subscriber base is expected to touch 500 million users by 2010, mobile VAS
players are now looking to cash in on LBS, to boost up the share of such services.
According to OnMobile Global CEO, the revenues through offerings such as locationbased
services would increase faster than those through entertainment-related services as
mobile consumers become more technology savvy. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com |
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| April 2008 |
