LBSfix.com

Comcast gets into the Cell phone business

Last week, Comcast announced that they are beginning to offer cell phone service through Sprint in the Boston area.  While this goal has been widely know, there was an interesting piece in this story at Reuters that included the following comment: "Comcast is offering wireless as an add-on for subscribers of its "triple play" package of cable TV, telephone and Internet services. The price is $33 a month for 200 minutes and such services as voicemail, navigation and call forwarding."  Interesting to note that the $33 service will include navigation.  I know that Sprint offers navigation services from MapQuest, Telenav, Garmin and Rand McNally.  I wonder if one of them got a deal to bundle in the service. 

Cingular launches Telenav on their Nokia E62

As noted on LBSFix.com in October, Cingular has launched Telenav on a series of devices.  Today they announced the launch of Telenav on the Nokia E62.  The press release indicates that Cingular is the first wireless carrier to launch a navigation application with 3D maps and "fuzzy search".  Interesting to see that Telenav would select to launch something like this on a single device, rather than mass market like they have with other offerings at Sprint / Nextel.

The 3D maps "move and stop as the driver does the same, while also displaying a realistic image of the streets the driver is approaching and streets they are passing. Users can also pan and zoom the map to view surrounding streets." 

Fuzzy Search "also known as predictive address entry, which detects and automatically fills in addresses based on current or commonly-used locations, as well as corrective entry, which automatically revises information the user may have misspelled."

Two interesting features, but will they be lost on a single device deployment, and when will Telenav launch them on their other carrier partners?

To use the service, you will need to purchase a separate bluetooth receiver.  Cingular is offering a 30 day free trial.  Subscriptions start at $5.99 for 10 trips per month or $10 for unlimited monthly trips.

Sprint Launches local search with Microsoft

Sprint and Microsoft announced today that they are offering Sprint Nextel cell phone subscribers access to Microsoft's Windows Live search platform via their wireless handsets.  Available on the main WAP deck of the subscribers handset, the search experience allows users to search for local listings as well as other information available on the WAP deck such as ring tones, wall papers, news, weather, sports, etc.

Users will have to enter their ZIP code to get local information, but the news reports indicate that the service will become location enabled utilizing GPS capabilities on the mobile phones.  It would make searching for Pizza or a Starbucks really easy when you are on the road.  From the joint release - "The location-based offering available today from Sprint and Microsoft requires users to input their location by entering their ZIP code, address, or city and state. Future versions of the service are planned to enable consumers to give permission to automatically locate them and show the nearest businesses that match their search."

The economics of the deal hinge on Microsoft's ability to sell advertising in the search results.  The companies will share in the advertising revenue.  The service will be free to Sprint Nextel users that have a data plan.  An interesting quote from Sprint on this deal, from a Reuters article - "It's probably one of the largest opportunities in wireless data services today," said John Styers, general manager of mobile advertising for Sprint Nextel.

This announcement comes on the heals of other carrier/local search deals.  Medio locked up Telus and Verizon, InfoSpace is running Cingulars search, and JumpTap will power search at Alltel.

40,000 users on Boosts Social Networking app

In a post yesterday, I mentioned the launch of a new game/contest from Boost Mobile.  Called Connect with the Dots, the game will allow subscribers in and around New York City to win prizes if they use the app to find a Boost/loopt friend.

I just read an interesting piece on MoCo News that boost is claiming 40,000 subscribers to the service in the first 7 weeks of availability.   Based on a subscriber base of 3million, that means that they have 1.3% take on this service, which I think is a pretty good number given the fact that it only launched a few weeks ago.  Also, I am not sure how many of the Boost handsets are GPS capable, so that number could only rise. 

Is this the dawning of the Friend Finder / Mobile Social Networking that we have all been talking about for years?  Let's hope that Helio will release some of their numbers for buddy Beacon in the next few months.

helio launches GPS

Helio just launched (news release here) the third in it's portfolio of handsets named Helio Drift.  The Drift is a GPS enabled handset that comes from Samsung.  The device is on sale for $225. 

With the launch of the device, Helio has also launched two applications to take advantage of the GPS capabilities.  One is a friend finder type service called Buddy Beacon, and the other is Google Maps.  Here is some more on the applications.

Buddy Beacon
From the press release:
"Buddy Beacon is the new way for Helio members to synchronize their social lives and tell friends where the fun is. Rather than calling or texting, Helio members can switch on their Buddy Beacon and use satellite technology to broadcast their location to the friends they add to their Buddy List. When they turn on Buddy Beacon, their Buddy List friends can see their location on a map along with a nearby address. Members can add up to 25 Buddies to their Buddy List. When members change locations and want to let everyone know the party is on the move, one simple command refreshes the location. Want to hide out? Just leave Buddy Beacon off to enjoy a night of privacy or to slip out the back of the club into the VIP room.

Buddy Beacon also lets Helio members send out an SMS message asking their friends to flip on their Buddy Beacons. When they activate Buddy Beacon, members can see where everyone is and meet up with the closest person for a fun night out or to tailgate at the big game. If a member notices a friend is nearby, a call can be placed directly from Buddy Beacon to check in on the fun."

Google Maps:
From the press release:
"Helio makes finding your current location, a nearby restaurant or friend's pad a whole lot easier with a GPS-enabled version of Google Maps™ for mobile. Helio members can avoid getting lost (unless that was the goal all along) or looking up information on their PC before leaving the house.

In addition to using GPS technology to pull up a current location on a clear and crisp map, Google Maps™ for mobile also lets Helio members get:

• Real-time traffic: locate traffic jams or find a new route in more than 30 major U.S. metropolitan areas with color-coded traffic reports.
• Detailed directions: routes displayed on the map itself, together with step-by-step directions.
• Integrated search results: local business locations and contact information appear in one place, integrated on the map so you can find the closest coffee shop and get there fast.
• Easily movable maps: interactive, draggable maps let members zoom in or out, or pan in every direction.
• Satellite imagery: get a bird's eye view of a desired location. "

I find it somewhat interesting to see that Helio launches with a buddy finder and Google Maps, not with the standard navigation application that everyone else has these days.  Maybe navigation is not a want/need for Helio customers, I just find it interesting that with the breadth of options, Helio decided not to launch navigation. 

Also, the press release does not mention the developer behind the Buddy Beacon service.  Does anyone know who owns this?  This is one of a few peer-to-peer GPS services on the market.  Will be interesting to see what the uptake is.

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.)