LBSfix.com

Verizon Wireless, Runners World and Bones in Motion all run together

In a three way release, Bones in Motion, Rodale's Runners World and Verizon Wireless today announced the launch of BiM Active RunTracker for certain GPS enabled Get it Now devices.  the app allows a outdoor enthusiast to track their activity using GPS. In addition runners can listen to music on V Cast phones.   So, now you can take your phone for a run, listen to your downloaded music, and track your speed, "mileage, split times, caloric burn, elevation changes and other information".  Press release here.

Sprint launched BiM Active w/o access to the music player back in February - press release here.

The app runs for (pun intended) $9.99 per month, or $1.99 for a 24 hour session...maybe that it for the ultra marathoners out there.

I really like the end of the quote from David Willey (VP and Editor @ Runners World) - "For business travelers, RunTracker also enables the storing, sharing and viewing of running routes in cities around the country, which we know from our readers is a big concern when they’re on the road,” added Willey. “To combine all of these features with the simultaneous capability of listening to music, which we know so many prefer to do, along with the inherent safety that carrying a cell phone can provide, well, this is just very, very cool.”

Congrats Andy!.

go2 and Enpocket Form Strategic Mobile Advertising Alliance

go2 and Enpocket announced a partnership that will enable the use of Enpocket's mobile advertising platform within go2s location enabled directories.  Looks like a smart move for both companies.  The press release states that:

"go2 and Enpocket will work together to jointly design, develop, operate and market enhanced mobile marketing solutions with a focus around go2’s expertise in location-based services and Enpocket’s deep experience in mobile advertising."

I would imagine that the next time I go to a movie, based on the info I get from go2 Movies, I may get an ad from Pepsi for some kind of discount at the concession stand, or an ad for a local restaurant to stop in for a bite to eat before the movie.

Congrats to Lee and Mike on this deal.

Nokia launches the n95 smart phone device with GPS Functionality

Nokia announced today the launch of the new N95 in the NSeries of Smart Phone. Press release here.   Check out pictures here.  Looks like a pretty slick device and it comes GPS equipped!!  The device features include:

2-way slide concept

integrated GPS functionality

5 megapixel camera (Carl Zeiss optics)

support for high-speed mobile networks

large 2.6" QVGA 16 million color display

impressive 3D graphics

built-in stereo speakers offering a 3D stereo effect

standard 3.5 mm audio jack

support for compatible microSD cards

mini USB for convenient data transfer

Looks like an impressive device to me.   Nokia highlights the GPS capability by saying:

"With its integrated GPS at your fingertips, finding your way just got easier. The Maps application includes maps for more than 100 countries, enabling users to explore the world, find specific routes or locate services such as restaurants and hotels and covering more than 15 million points of interest. You can also purchase additional features, such as city guides and voice guided navigation."

Also noted that TeleAtlas has been selected "to provide the digital map data and dynamic location content" on the device. TeleAtlas press release is here.

The device is based on S60 software on Symbian OS and will be available in Europe in early 2007.

Carilion Clinic launches TeleNav Track

Carilion Clinic, West Virginia's leading health-care provider, announced that they are using TeleNav Track from TeleNav to empower their personnel to cut response times.  We all know that during a medical emergency, time is critical.  From the press release:

" With TeleNav Track, Carilion is now able to pinpoint emergency medical service (EMS) providers down to the section they are standing by at the speedway. This feature of TeleNav Track has reduced emergency response times to around one minute from the time a call is received to when the team arrives on the scene. Additionally, Carilion uses TeleNav Track's online reporting tool that can show where all team members have been throughout the event. "

Looks like a good implementation of LBS to me.

Sprint launches new GPS BlackBerry

Announced today, Sprint has unveiled a new GPS enabled Blackberry,  the RIM 8703e.  It is running on Sprints EV-DO network (Sprint Power Vision Network) and supports GPS capabilities in a "capability in a sleek and light design". 

From the press release - "The BlackBerry 8703e includes integrated GPS (assisted-GPS) enabled through Sprint to deliver support for popular location-based services to mobile users, such as turn-by-turn driving directions to any address, anywhere on the Nationwide Sprint PCS Network. "

The release does not mention the inclusion of any specific LBS applications. 

The 8703e will be available October 1 with a price tag of $349.99 (with two year agreement.)

Rand McNally gets into the PND space

Rand McNally just launched a new personal navigation device (PND) called the GPS Navigator.  I could not find a press release so I am not sure of the release date, but you can see the devices on the Rand McNally home page.

I am not sure that it is an official launch since the site says that the device will not begin shipping until September 22nd.

Anyway, here are some of the details.

Unique features:

• Simple, intuitive, and easy-to-use system with preloaded maps of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands for voice-guided door-to-door routing
• Portable and lightweight design that's a full inch thinner than many GPS devices in its class, so it takes less space on the dashboard or in your a purse or briefcase
• The Rand McNally Road Atlas and Travel Planner for a big picture overview of where you're going
• 26 Best of the Road™ trip itineraries with suggested attractions, restaurants, and shops selected by Rand McNally's award-winning editorial staff

Product highlights:

• Clear voice prompts tell you when to turn
• Automatic rerouting if you miss a turn
• "Detour" button to route around traffic jams
• Bright 3.5" color touch screen with 2-D and 3-D modes
• Day- and night-view map modes
• Large keyboard for touch screen entry
• "Go Home" button that directs the driver home from any location
• Multistop route planning and mileage calculator
• Doubles as an MP3 player
• Easy access to millions of points of interest including:
  • Food
  • Gas stations
  • Lodging
  • Banks and ATMs
  • Travel and shopping
  • Emergency services
  • Many others

More from CTIA - Tele Atlas and RIM sync up

So, lots happened at CTIA last week, and I am still catching up.  Sorry for the delays, but I have real work to do too.

I found this one interesting in light of the tie up between NAVTEQ and Nokia.  Tele Atlas announced that "Research In Motion’s (RIM) new BlackBerry® Maps application will leverage Tele Atlas’ map data to provide mapping and location based services (LBS). The BlackBerry Maps application is featured in the new BlackBerry Pearl smartphone."

So, what is the BlackBerry Maps product?  The release states: "The BlackBerry Maps application will feature Tele Atlas’ highly accurate map data to help mobile users easily find addresses and the best routes to them. Leveraging Tele Atlas map data, BlackBerry Maps works together with other BlackBerry applications enabling users to send maps via email and launch maps from contacts in their address book."

Garmin gets smart

In two separate releases last week during CTIA, Garmin announced that they have launched Garmin Mobile 20 " an automotive navigation system that delivers Garmin’s voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions using Bluetooth wireless technology", on Smart Phones and Blackberry Devices.  I have always lumped BBs into the Smart Phone category, but two releases on the same day...

Let's take a look at the releases.  Gary Kelley, Garmin's VP Marketing states that the service will support 50 smart phones.  Key features:

3D maps

Traffic info from Traffic.com

Gas Station finder with fuel pricing

Weather from Custom Weather

and, I found this one interesting - PeerPoints(TM): "In addition, Garmin Mobile 20 includes PeerPoints™, a powerful short message service (SMS) feature that lets users send their position or information about a POI to other phones. This unique position reporting feature helps users keep track of their friends and family, and navigate to them with the touch of a button."

The Smart Phone package will not be available until Nov 2006, and will launch with a price tag of $299.  There was no info on the BB availability and pricing.

Nice to see someone getting into the smart phone market.  I wonder if this will force the carriers to force the OEMS to embed GPS chips on their smart phones, so carriers can participate in this business.

NAVTEQ ups ante in LBS Challenge and adds Nokia as Sponsor

More out of last weeks CTIA - NAVTEQ announced that they are upping the prize pool to $2million in cash and data licensing for their annual LBS Challenge.  Is LBS coming of age?  Is NAVTEQ trying to buy more exposure/PR?  They also announced that Nokia will become the Global sponsor - new release here.

Irregardless of the specific motivation, I personally think that LBS is coming of age,  I say kudos to NAVTEQ.  $2million, even for PR purposes is a lot of money.  I have know a few companies that have placed and some that have won their respective category, and this recognition means a lot. 

Other changes to the program include:

• Expanding an already elite panel of judges with representatives from  major wireless carriers, industry experts, and venture capitalists including Bain Capital, Cingular, Helio, i-Hatch Ventures, MK Capital, Motorola, Nokia, Openwave Systems, Sprint, T-Mobile, Telus, and Verizon Wireless;

• Offering new NAVTEQ content specifically tailored to the demands of the wireless market. LBS Challenge contestants will be given free access to NAVTEQ’s newly launched NAVTEQ Traffic Mobile™, NAVTEQ City Guide™, and NAVTEQ Traffic Patterns™. 

Hmmmm...interesting to see Helio and Cingular on the list of panel of judges.  I am not sure if they have participated in the past, but it looks like a good sign to see the three top carriers on the list.  Also interesting to see the VC firms.  Is this their chance to take a look under the covers of some of these companies?  Is it a opportunity for them to buddy up with the carriers to see what the carriers think (i.e. are you gonna put this on your deck and promote it?)

LBS Privacy

As location based services become more popular through the expansion of carrier platforms and the continued development of applications, protecting a users privacy will become a focal point.  I suspect that many organizations will try to be a voice for the consumer and seek to establish their own agenda.

In a story by Brian Heater the July 2006 LAPTOP magazine, Kevin Bankston of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, opined that "Location data can be sold to data warehouses, and other people can purchase logs of where you go".   While technically possible, I think that this is unlikely.  Wireless carriers have much more to gain from the constructive use of location information by an end user, than from packaging up someones bread crumb trails and selling it to a marketer.  As a marketer, I can think of a few ways that this data can be used.  For example, if I can determine based on your commuting routes that you pass by a Shell gas station on the way to work, and a Texaco on the way home, I might want to send an SMS to you in the afternoon to encourage you to stop at Texaco to fill 'er up.

Alarmists might also point to the Albert Belle story Albert Belle arrested for using GPS to track ex-girlfriend. It should be pointed out that he did not use a cell phone, rather a stand alone GPS device. 

The  important thing to understand in the use of mobile LBS application is that the user is (an always should be) in control of the data.  For example, on a Sprint iDEN (read: Nextel) device, when invoked an application will ask the user for permission to capture their location. A user can select one of three options, 1. Yes, for this session, 2. Always, for this application, 3. Never. The user has to grant the application the right to determine their location.  If denied, the application will not work, and the users location will not be determined. 

Application developers can and will capture the location info to be used for that application while there is an active session.  Once the user terminates the application, the location fixes will stop.  Depending on the type of application, the developer will have limited data on the location of the user. It will not be "tracking" the user all day.  In my opinion, the data may be more valuable in aggregate to GPS OEMs, or if the application delivers POIs, the search requests may be more valuable.

If wireless carriers are going to harness more value from the use of GPS on devices, they must make sure that user data is secure.  I have not read the CPNI laws, but I would imagine that user GPS data falls under CPNI.