Only seven years ago, navigation systems that used GPS technology were an exclusive feature in expensive cars that added $3,000 or more to the vehicle's cost.
Around 2002, navigation systems, while still used mostly as a driving aid, broke below $1,000 for a handheld computer connected to a GPS unit.
Today a dedicated standalone navigation device from TomTom or Garmin , which a user can carry anywhere, costs as little as $300 and the companies estimate that 14 million units will be sold this year alone.
And then go on to outline the main challenges to Telecoms worldwide if the Internet companies (Google etc) grab the LBS products and services:
Mobile operators are wary that they may soon be subsidizing expensive handsets and upgrading their network to accommodate positioning technology, only for Google to start offering free navigation services paid by advertisers of area shops and facilities.
and look at this:
GSM and WCDMA operators have access to a similar positioning system, called Enhanced-GPS, or E-GPS, which uses a $16 GPS chip that can determine a nearly exact position within 30 seconds, in open areas with good line-of-sight to satellites.
Even when the signal is interrupted -- a problem indoors or in high-rise buildings -- a $1 software program from companies such as CPS can locate a phone within an area of 100 or 200 meters within four seconds, by bouncing signals off several cell phone antennas. This is sufficient for many local searches.
It goes without saying that as technology improve even this will be resolved.
Another quote:
Piggybacking on U.S. efforts, CDMA wireless telephone operators in South Korea have already embraced the technology, offering services that let users know where a friend or family member is.
I think thats the iKids product? Although I thought iKids was GSM? Ah well, wish I had had it for an ex-boyfriend or three.
Anyway, go read the article, particularly how Telcos are realising they have to work with the Googles and Yahoos.
Technorati Tags Location Based Services, LBS, Google, Lucas van Grinsven , Tarmo Virki, Information Week, iKids,
No comments:
Post a Comment