Location based technology a key to wireless innovations
The combining of Location-Based Services with GPS technology, mobile commerce applications and social networking has revived the LBS sector. There has been much hype regarding this technology since around the year 2000 and it is only recently that we have seen applications for this technology becoming available to mass audiences. Initially people were lured by the Check-in feature offered by location based services over social networks and high profile start-ups liked Foursquare captured consumer attention based on this.
However in 2012 Foursquare is undergoing changes as consumers seem to be losing interest with the check-in feature and are seeking more location-based information on places or venues they may visit.
Mobile dating is also beginning to incorporate location based technology. A popular mobile dating app in the emerging markets is called Eskimi and in 2012 it joined with Gecko Landmarks in order to incorporate location based offerings. Eskimi has over 5 million users in emerging markets with over 2 million in Nigeria alone.
Other sectors incorporating location technology include mobile gaming; vehicle tracking; people and animal tracking and advertising.
The future of mobile Location Based Services will continue to evolve as handsets with smarter capabilities, new apps and user interfaces permeate the market. This technology will also be included in the broader concept of The Internet of Things.
For related information, see separate report: Global – Mobile Broadband – Location Based Services Insights.
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Tagged in: Global, LBS, Location Based Services, Mobile Broadband, Social Media, social network
