LBSfix.com

Socialight is Back!

After raising funds back in October, the guys at Socialight have been hard at work, and last week announced that Socialight is back.  In an e-mail sent on Friday, Micheal and Dan highlighted the following new features:

* more ways to access Socialight while mobile - new mobile web (WAP) and text messaging (SMS) interfaces let you find and create Sticky Notes anytime, anywhere.

* more ways to connect with other people – message users directly, post on users’ pages and invite contacts through easy address book importing.

* enhance the networks and content you've already got by importing GeoRSS feeds from sites like Flickr to share content from specific places. If you have your own site like a blog or a MySpace page, you can also embed Socialight widgets right there.

* tools for publishers (even you!) to create opt-in channels. WCities and Movie Locations Guide are already programming Socialight channels, with many more coming soon.

More NAVTEQ news

In a press release on Monday, NAVTEQ announced the availability of a new service that will allow retail merchants direct access to the NAVTEQ database to update information related to their locations.  Dubbed NAVTEQ Direct Access, this service will enable companies like Starbucks, Walgreens, and other to make real time updates to the data every time they open or close a location.  Now JAVA crazed people will have a chance to find a closer Starbucks to get their fix, as Starbucks opens another 2,400 stores next year.

I found this news release interesting for two reasons.  1. How will users of a PND get updates?  I guess they will come loaded on the new cards/CDs that consumers will have to buy to get the updates.  I wonder if NAVTEQ is considering a model to get the merchants to pay for the updates decreasing the update downside of standalone PNDs.  Alas, there is probably too much profit in those razor blades...I mean update CDs.  2. Will this lead to advertising in PNDs?  If merchants are granted access to update their information, could they update it with coming soon messages - a form of advertising?  Will they be granted categorical advertising access?  hmmm...this one could get interesting.

Helio's Buddy Beacon

As previously blogged, Helio recently launched a buddy finder application called Buddy Beacon.  The app was developed by Walt Doyle and the crew at uLocate.  I asked Walt the significance of this launch and he said that he "is excited to see the continued momentum in the wireless LBS space.”   I am too.

Check out the latest Helio commercial that features Buddy Beacon - link here on You Tube.

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.

Trimble launches Geocache Navigator

Trimble, via it's Trimble Outdoors product line, today announced the launch of Geocache Navigator.  Geocache Navigator is an application that will run on GPS enabled mobile cellphones, allowing people to search for geocaches in any given area. 

A geocache, according to the folks at geocaching.com, is "A cache can come in many forms but the first item should always be the logbook. In its simplest form a cache can be just a logbook and nothing else. The logbook contains information from the founder of the cache and notes from the cache's visitors. The logbook can contain much valuable, rewarding, and entertaining information. A logbook might contain information about nearby attractions, coordinates to other unpublished caches, and even jokes written by visitors. If you get some information from a logbook you should give some back. At the very least you can leave the date and time you visited the cache.

Larger caches may consist of a waterproof plastic bucket placed tastefully within the local terrain. The bucket will contain the logbook and any number of more or less valuable items. These items turn the cache into a true treasure hunt. You never know what the founder or other visitors of the cache may have left there for you to enjoy. Remember, if you take something, its only fair for you to leave something in return. Items in a bucket cache could be: Maps, books, software, hardware, CD's, videos, pictures, money, jewelry, tickets, antiques, tools, games, etc. It is recommended that items in a bucket cache be individually packaged in a clear zipped plastic bag to protect them. "

Trimble partners with Groundspeak, Inc, the folks behind geocaching.com.  The application will provide the user with access to over 200,000 cache location and then show them how to find the caches.  Typically, geocaching required the user to have a hand-held GPS device, now with the launch of the service on Sprint Nextel phones, almost anyone will be able to go on geocaching adventures. 

For more about the service and how it works, check out GeocacheNavigator.com

Congrats to Larry, Rich and the rest of the folks at Trimble Outdoors - looks like a cool product.

Dan

Boost launches LBS game with Loopt

Boost, a subsidiary of Sprint Nextel, in partnership with Loopt, just released an LBS game called Connect with the Dots.  The premise is that users (users must be within 50 miles of New York City) who download the loopt application and register for the game will receive an invitation to a new location every day.  Users must use their Boost handset with GPS to find the location of a boost/loopt friend and rush to their location to win a prize. 

This sounds like friend finder meets scavenger hunt.  The game/contest runs from today through the end of the year.  Prizes will range in value from $25 - $250, and include jewelery, sporting goods, tickets, etc. 

loopt is a ca based start up that calls their friend finder application "social mapping". 

For more on the game/contest check out the Boost site here.

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.

Cingular locates Telenav

Looks like a busy week for the guys at TeleNav.  As noted in an earlier post today, TeleNav last week launched the GPS Navigator service on SouthernLINC.  Today they announced a launch on Cingular. It looks like the service is limited to a number of smart phones, some with embedded GPS, and others that will require bluetooth GPS receivers. The feature sets looks the same as you would find on Sprint Nextel and other carriers.  The TeleNav site (select Cingular as your carrier) lists the service as being available on the Moto SLVR and RAZR, however these devices were not mentioned in the press release.

Looks like good news for the LBS industry that Cingular is getting into the mix.  Maybe they are sick of seeing all of the VZ Navigator ads on TV.

Congrats to HP and the rest of the guys at TeleNav.

Dan