From a navigation perspective, the most important event at CTIA was probably Mio showcasing their connected PND prototype which will be available in the second half of 2008. During CTIA Mio Technology also announced a partnership with ATX to deliver real-time content based on ATX’s content delivery infrastructure. AT&T launched AT&T Navigator based on Telenav software and for the first time offering speech recognition for destination entry on a handset-based navigation solution exclusively available on AT&T for a monthly subscription fee of $9.99. AT&T Navigator offers real-time traffic info, gas prices and local search. For Telenav it represents a move from a branded towards a while label navigation software provider. The web-based speech technology is provided by Nuance and is an important step towards making handset-based navigation more user-friendly and safe for in-car navigation.
Location-based social networking continues to dominate LBS applications both at the NAVTEQ LBS challenge and in many commercial solutions. Ten 23 won the Grand Prize at the LBS Challenge with its SpotJots location-based social blogging application allowing users to upload content to a personal blog and share it with others. The free Wayfinder Active GPS outdoor solution was launched in the US and Canada and includes the ActiveOutdoor online community for sharing outdoor activities. Topographical maps for each individual US state can be purchased at a fee of $9. Other social networking applications include Pelago’s Whrrl social discovery service.
Local search and real-time traffic continue to be positioned as the main features of connected navigation. During CTIA Jasper Wireless announced its accelerator service which reduces the average search transaction time on connected PNDs to 3 seconds. It also allows PND vendors to more efficiently use the available bandwidth. Stand-alone mobile phone search clients such as Wayfinder’s Power Search on the iPhone leveraging the built-in Map application are making their appearance. Real-time traffic information remains equally important with NAVTEQ-company Traffic.com launching the Traffic.com2GO application, a mobile Java application providing real-time traffic hotspots and incidents on phones. A new version of VZ Navigator based on Networks In Motion’s new AtlasBook Navigator platform was launched including traffic incidents and allowing detours around traffic congestion areas in 75 cities in the US. It is powered by NAVTEQ Traffic and is based on historical and real-time traffic flow information.
In the commercial LBS area the TeleNav Track software ended second in the Enterprise Solutions category of the E-Tech awards. Omnilink Systems launched a solution for the loss prevention and recovery of valuable assets based on the FocalPoint LBS software.
When looking beyond the end user applications and services, a dynamic LBS value chain and ecosystem becomes apparent. The most remarkable trend at the lower levels of the LBS value chain is the availability of a wide range of developer platforms allowing small companies to quickly and cost-effectively design and launch LBS-applications and services. Short turn-around times are a key enabler in the LBS space making it possible to assess the potential of a large number of concepts in this emerging market. Location-Based platforms are a first category of development environments. uLocate’s Where LBS development platform powered 10 of the 15 semi-finalists shortlisted for the NAVTEQ LBS challenge. Other examples include Wavemarket’s Veriplace platform and solutions offered by companies such as Redknee, TCS, Critical Path and Autodesk. Many of the platform providers also offer end user applications, often only meant as proofs of concept. Intrynsic’s Soleus consumer handheld device software platform based on Windows CE allows vendors to reduce development cycles of connected navigation solutions to less than six months. With seven product development wins Intrinsyc is quickly becoming an important player in the handset and connected PND navigation market. The Soleus platform is essentially a flexible user interface framework and development environment allowing the reuse of existing user interface components, a telephony stack and a suite of core applications while allowing third party developers to customize the user interface and design new features. Symbian launched its LBS architecture supporting a rich set of positioning technologies such as A-GPS and Wi-Fi and a rich set of APIs for the accelerated development of features such as emergency tracking, routing, geotagging, local search and fiend finder.
However, while LBS end user devices, location technology and development platforms are now available, the main challenge remains the seamless integration of location services in the overall mobile experience. Understanding the nature of mobility and mobile relevance in particular will be the main critical success factor for the uptake of LBS and in a wider sense all mobile data applications. The latest release of WorldMate Live by Mobimate launched at CTIA illustrates this perfectly although it is strictly speaking not a location-application. WorldMate Live offers real-time business travel information including weather info, maps and directions, last minute flight changes and cancellations, gate changes and itinerary updates and provides real-time notifications to the mobile device. The notifications are context-related and actionable allowing users to rebook cancelled flights or change meetings at the touch of a button. It provides the right information at the right time allowing travelers to stay in control while seamlessly interfacing with navigation solutions. The key principle is to proactively push relevant information to the mobile device and present the user with actionable menu items preventing information overload and guaranteeing an intuitive mobile experience. Itineraries can be shared with colleagues and family members adding the social networking dimension. The future of LBS will depend on how well it will be integrated into the overall mobile experience. At CTIA the first indications were visible this is starting to happen with LBS breaking out of its isolated position and becoming part of connected navigation and social networking solutions.
As a venue Las Vegas remains unique offering a multitude of meeting accommodation and event formats, from mini-exhibitions such as MobileFocus and ShowStoppers to private meetings in some of the most impressive suites in the top hotels. Those having attended the MWC in Barcelona will not disagree. It does not come as a surprise CTIA has secured Las Vegas as the venue for its spring show for the next years.
